Magnetic recording medium and cartridge

ABSTRACT

[Object] Provided is a technology that is capable of further improving a recording density of data. 
     [Solving Means] A magnetic recording medium according to the present technology is a magnetic recording medium in a shape of a tape that is long in a longitudinal direction and is short in a width direction, the medium including: a base material; a magnetic layer; and a non-magnetic layer that is provided between the base material and the magnetic layer, and contains one or more types of non-magnetic inorganic particles, in which the magnetic layer includes a data band long in the longitudinal direction in which a data signal is to be written, and a servo band long in the longitudinal direction in which a servo signal is written, and in the magnetic layer, a degree of vertical orientation is greater than or equal to 65%, a half width of a solitary waveform in a reproduction waveform of the servo signal is less than or equal to 195 nm, and a thickness of the magnetic layer is less than or equal to 90 nm, and the non-magnetic layer contains at least Fe-based non-magnetic particles as the non-magnetic inorganic particles, and in the non-magnetic layer, an average particle volume of the Fe-based non-magnetic particles is less than or equal to 2.0×10 −5  μm 3 , and a thickness of the non-magnetic layer is less than or equal to 1.1 μm.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present technology relates to a technology of a magnetic recordingmedium or the like.

BACKGROUND ART

Recently, a magnetic recording medium has been widely used for anapplication such as electronic data backup. A magnetic recording mediumincluding a magnetic layer has been in widespread use, as one of themagnetic recording media.

A data band including a plurality of recording tracks is provided in themagnetic layer of the magnetic recording medium, and data is recorded inthe recording track. In addition, in the magnetic layer, a servo band isprovided in positions between which the data band is interposed in awidth direction, and a servo signal is recorded in the servo band. Amagnetic head reads the servo signal that is recorded in the servo band,and thus, positioning is performed with respect to the recording track.

A horizontal magnetic recording system in which data is recorded bymagnetizing magnetic particles in a magnetic layer in a horizontaldirection, and a vertical magnetic recording system in which data isrecorded by magnetizing the magnetic particles in the magnetic layer ina vertical direction are known as a recording system with respect to themagnetic recording medium. In the vertical magnetic recording system, itis possible to record the data with a high density, compared to thehorizontal magnetic recording system.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: JP-A-2014-199706

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Technical Problem

Recently, higher density recording has been required due to an increasein a data amount to be recorded, and a technology that is capable offurther improving a recording density of data has been required.

In consideration of the circumstances as described above, an object ofthe present technology is to provide a technology that is capable offurther improving a recording density of data.

Solution to Problem

A magnetic recording medium according to one aspect of the presenttechnology is a magnetic recording medium in a shape of a tape that islong in a longitudinal direction and is short in a width direction, themedium including: a base material; a magnetic layer; and a non-magneticlayer that is provided between the base material and the magnetic layer,and contains one or more types of non-magnetic inorganic particles, inwhich the magnetic layer includes a data band long in the longitudinaldirection in which a data signal is to be written, and a servo band longin the longitudinal direction in which a servo signal is written, and inthe magnetic layer, a degree of vertical orientation is greater than orequal to 65%, a half width of a solitary waveform in a reproductionwaveform of the servo signal is less than or equal to 195 nm, and athickness of the magnetic layer is less than or equal to 90 nm, and thenon-magnetic layer contains at least Fe-based non-magnetic particles asthe non-magnetic inorganic particles, and in the non-magnetic layer, anaverage particle volume of the Fe-based non-magnetic particles is lessthan or equal to 2.0×10⁻⁵ μm³, and a thickness of the non-magnetic layeris less than or equal to 1.1 μm.

Accordingly, it is possible to further improve a recording density ofdata.

In the magnetic recording medium described above, the average particlevolume of the Fe-based non-magnetic particles may be less than or equalto 1.0×10⁻⁵ μm³.

In the magnetic recording medium described above, the half width of thesolitary waveform may be less than or equal to 180 nm.

In the magnetic recording medium described above, the half width of thesolitary waveform may be less than or equal to 160 nm.

In the magnetic recording medium described above, the half width of thesolitary waveform may be less than or equal to 140 nm.

In the magnetic recording medium described above, the half width of thesolitary waveform may be less than or equal to 120 nm.

In the magnetic recording medium described above, the degree of verticalorientation may be greater than or equal to 70%.

In the magnetic recording medium described above, the degree of verticalorientation may be greater than or equal to 75%.

In the magnetic recording medium described above, the degree of verticalorientation may be greater than or equal to 80%.

In the magnetic recording medium described above, the data band mayinclude a plurality of recording tracks that are long in thelongitudinal direction, are arrayed in the width direction, and have apredetermined recording track width for each track in the widthdirection, a servo signal recording pattern may include a plurality ofstripes that are inclined at a predetermined azimuth angle with respectto the width direction, and when an arbitrary point on an arbitrarystripe in the plurality of stripes is set to P1, and a point on thearbitrary stripe in a position separated from P1 by the recording trackwidth in the width direction is set to P2, a distance between P1 and P2in the length direction may be greater than or equal to 0.08 μm.

In the magnetic recording medium described above, the distance betweenP1 and P2 in the length direction may be less than or equal to 0.62 μm.

In the magnetic recording medium described above, in the magnetic layer,a degree of longitudinal orientation may be less than or equal to 35%.

In the magnetic recording medium described above, a coercive force inthe longitudinal direction may be less than or equal to 2000 Oe.

In the magnetic recording medium described above, a ratio of an area ofthe servo band to an area of an entire surface of the magnetic layer maybe less than or equal to 4.0%.

In the magnetic recording medium described above, the magnetic layer maycontain a magnetic powder, and a particle volume of the magnetic powdermay be less than or equal to 2300 nm³.

In the magnetic recording medium described above, the number of databands is 4n (n is an integer of greater than or equal to 2), and thenumber of servo bands may be 4n+1.

In the magnetic recording medium described above, a width of the servoband may be less than or equal to 95 μm.

In the magnetic recording medium described above, the data band mayinclude a plurality of recording tracks that are long in thelongitudinal direction, are arrayed in the width direction, and have apredetermined recording track width for each track in the widthdirection, and the recording track width may be less than or equal to2.0 μm.

In the magnetic recording medium described above, a one-bit length inthe longitudinal direction of the data signal that is recorded in thedata band may be less than or equal to 48 nm.

In the magnetic recording medium described above, the magnetic layer maycontain a magnetic powder of hexagonal ferrite, ε ferric oxide, orcobalt-containing ferrite.

In the magnetic recording medium described above, a thickness of thebase material may be less than or equal to 4.2 μm.

In the magnetic recording medium described above, the Fe-basednon-magnetic inorganic particles may be hematite (α-Fe₂O₃).

A cartridge according to another aspect of the present technology is acartridge including:

a magnetic recording medium in a shape of a tape that is long in alongitudinal direction and being short in a width direction, themagnetic recording medium including a base material, a magnetic layer,and a non-magnetic layer that is provided between the base material andthe magnetic layer, and contains one or more types of non-magneticinorganic particles, in which the magnetic layer includes a data bandlong in the longitudinal direction in which a data signal is to bewritten, and a servo band long in the longitudinal direction in which aservo signal is written, and in the magnetic layer, a degree of verticalorientation is greater than or equal to 65%, a half width of a solitarywaveform in a reproduction waveform of the servo signal is less than orequal to 195 nm, and a thickness of the magnetic layer is less than orequal to 90 nm, and the non-magnetic layer contains at least Fe-basednon-magnetic particles as the non-magnetic inorganic particles, and inthe non-magnetic layer, an average particle volume of the Fe-basednon-magnetic particles is less than or equal to 4.0×10⁻⁵ μm³, and athickness of the non-magnetic layer is less than or equal to 1.0 μm.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present technology, it is possible to further improve arecording density of data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a magnetic recording medium seen from alateral side.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the magnetic recording medium seen froman upper side.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view illustrating a recording track in a databand.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view illustrating a servo signal recording patternin a servo band.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a data recording device.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of a head unit seen from a lower side.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a first head unitperforms record/reproduction of a data signal.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a reproduction waveform when one stripein the servo signal recording pattern is read.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for illustrating a half width in a solitarywaveform.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for illustrating a basic concept of the presenttechnology, and is a diagram illustrating two stripes in the servosignal recording pattern.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating various examples and variouscomparative examples.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating other various examples and othervarious comparative examples.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of non-magnetic particlesthat are contained in a non-magnetic layer.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a test result indicating arelationship in a thickness of each layer configuring the magneticrecording medium, an average particle volume of the non-magneticparticles that are contained in the non-magnetic layer, and arithmeticaverage roughness Ra of a surface of a magnetic layer.

MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present technology will bedescribed with reference to the drawings.

<Configuration of Magnetic Recording Medium>

First, a basic configuration of a magnetic recording medium 1 will bedescribed. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the magnetic recordingmedium 1 seen from a lateral side.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the magnetic recording medium 1 isconfigured into the shape of a tape that is long in a longitudinaldirection (an X axis direction), is short in a width direction (a Y axisdirection), and is thin in a thickness direction (a Z axis direction).Note that, in the specification (and the drawings), a coordinate systembased on the magnetic recording medium 1 indicates an XYZ coordinatesystem.

The magnetic recording medium 1 is capable of recording a signal at theshortest recording wavelength that is desirably less than or equal to 96nm, is more desirably less than or equal to 75 nm, is even moredesirably less than or equal to 60 nm, and is particularly desirablyless than or equal to 50 nm. It is desirable that the magnetic recordingmedium 1 is used in a data recording device including a ring type headas a recording head.

The magnetic recording medium 1 includes a base material 11 in the shapeof a tape that is long in the longitudinal direction (the X axisdirection), a non-magnetic layer 12 provided on one main surface of thebase material 11, a magnetic layer 13 provided on the non-magnetic layer12, and a back layer 14 provided on the other main surface of the basematerial 11, with reference to FIG. 1. Note that, the back layer 14 maybe provided as necessary, and the back layer 14 may be omitted.

[Base Material]

The base material 11 is a non-magnetic support body that supports thenon-magnetic layer 12 and the magnetic layer 13. The base material 11 isin the shape of an elongated film. An upper limit value of an averagethickness of the base material 11 is desirably less than or equal to 4.2μm, is more desirably less than or equal to 3.8 μm, and is even moredesirably less than or equal to 3.4 μm. In a case where the upper limitvalue of the average thickness of the base material 11 is less than orequal to 4.2 μm, it is possible to increase recording capacity that iscapable of performing recording in one cartridge 21 (refer to FIG. 5),compared to a general magnetic recording medium.

The average thickness of the base material 11 is obtained as follows.First, the magnetic recording medium 1 having a width of ½ inches isprepared, and the magnetic recording medium 1 is cut out to have alength of 250 mm, and thus, a sample is prepared. Subsequently, layersof the sample other than the base material 11 (that is, the non-magneticlayer 12, the magnetic layer 13, and the back layer 14) are removed by asolvent such as methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) or a dilute hydrochloric acid.Next, the thickness of the sample (the base material 11) is measured infive or more positions by using laser HOLOGaze manufactured by MitutoyoCorporation as a measurement device, and measurement values are simplyaveraged (arithmetically averaged), and thus, the average thickness ofthe base material 11 is calculated. Note that, the measurement positionis randomly selected from the sample.

The base material 11, for example, includes at least one type ofmaterial of polyesters, polyolefins, a cellulose derivative, a vinylicresin, or other polymer resins. In a case where the base material 11includes two or more types of materials of the materials describedabove, two or more types of materials may be mixed, may becopolymerized, or may be laminated.

Polyesters, for example, include at least one type of polyester ofpolyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN),polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polybutylene naphthalate (PBN),polycyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate (PCT),polyethylene-p-oxybenzoate (PEB), or polyethylene bisphenoxycarboxylate.

Polyolefins, for example, include at least one type of polyolefin ofpolyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP). The cellulose derivative, forexample, includes at least one type of cellulose derivative of cellulosediacetate, cellulose triacetate, cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB), orcellulose acetate propionate (CAP). The vinylic resin, for example,includes at least one type of vinylic resin of polyvinyl chloride (PVC)or polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC).

The other polymer resins, for example, include at least one type ofpolymer resin of polyamide, nylon (PA), aromatic polyamide (aromatic PA,aramid), polyimide (PI), aromatic polyimide (aromatic PI), polyamideimide (PAI), aromatic polyamide imide (aromatic PAI), polybenzooxazole(PBO, for example, Xyron (Registered Trademark)), polyether, polyetherketone (PEK), polyether ester, polyether sulfone (PES), polyether imide(PEI), polysulfone (PSF), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polycarbonate(PC), polyarylate (PAR), or polyurethane (PU).

[Magnetic Layer]

The magnetic layer 13 is a recording layer for recording a data signal.The magnetic layer 13 contains a magnetic powder, a binder, conductiveparticles, and the like. The magnetic layer 13 may contain an additivesuch as a lubricant, an abrading agent, and an antirust agent, asnecessary. The magnetic layer 13 includes a surface on which a pluralityof hole portions are provided. The lubricant is stored in the pluralityof hole portions. It is desirable that the plurality of hole portionsextend in a direction vertical to the surface of the magnetic layer.

The degree of vertical orientation of the magnetic layer 13 (nodiamagnetic field correction: the same hereinafter) is typically greaterthan or equal to 65%. In addition, the degree of longitudinalorientation of the magnetic layer 13 is typically less than or equal to35%.

The thickness of the magnetic layer 13 is typically greater than orequal to 35 nm and less than or equal to 90 nm. As described above, thethickness of the magnetic layer 13 is greater than or equal to 35 nm andless than or equal to 90 nm, and thus, it is possible to improveelectromagnetic conversion characteristics. Further, the thickness ofthe magnetic layer 13 is desirably less than or equal to 90 nm, is moredesirably less than or equal to 80 nm, is more desirably less than orequal to 60 nm, and is even more desirably less than or equal to 40 nm,from the viewpoint of a half width (described below) of a solitarywaveform in a reproduction waveform of a servo signal. The thickness ofthe magnetic layer 13 is less than or equal to 90 nm, and thus, it ispossible to narrow the half width of the solitary waveform in thereproduction waveform of the servo signal (less than or equal to 195nm), and to make a peak of the reproduction waveform of the servo signalsharp. Accordingly, a reading accuracy of the servo signal is improved,and thus, it is possible to increase the number of recording tracks, andto improve a recording density of data (the details will be describedbelow).

The thickness of the magnetic layer 13, for example, can be obtained asfollows. First, the magnetic recording medium 1 is worked to bevertically thin with respect to the main surface, and a sample piece isprepared, and a sectional surface of the test piece is observed with atransmission electron microscope (TEM) in the following conditions.

Device: TEM (H9000NAR, manufactured by Hitachi, Ltd.)

Acceleration Voltage: 300 kV

Magnification: 100,000 Times

Next, the thickness of the magnetic layer 13 is measured in at least 10or more positions in the longitudinal direction of the magneticrecording medium 10 by using a TEM image that is obtained, and then,measurement values are simply averaged (arithmetically averaged), andthus, the thickness of the magnetic layer 13 is calculated. Note that,the measurement position is randomly selected from the test piece.

(Magnetic Powder)

The magnetic powder includes a powder of nanoparticles containing εferric oxide (hereinafter, referred to as “ε ferric oxide particles”).Even though the ε ferric oxide particles are fine particles, it ispossible to obtain a high coercive force. It is desirable that ε ferricoxide contained in the ε ferric oxide particles is subjected tocrystalline orientation preferentially in the thickness direction (avertical direction) of the magnetic recording medium 1.

The ε ferric oxide particles are in the shape of a sphere orapproximately in the shape of a sphere, or in the shape of a cube orapproximately in the shape of a cube. The ε ferric oxide particles havethe shape as described above, and thus, in a case where the ε ferricoxide particles are used as magnetic particles, it is possible to reducea contact area between particles in the thickness direction of themagnetic recording medium 1, and to suppress aggregation between theparticles, compared to a case where hexagonal plate-like barium ferriteparticles are used as the magnetic particles. Therefore, it is possibleto increase the dispersibility of the magnetic powder, and to obtain amore excellent signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).

The ε ferric oxide particles have a core-shell type structure.Specifically, the ε ferric oxide particles include a core portion, and ashell portion of a two-layer structure that is provided around the coreportion. The shell portion of the two-layer structure includes a firstshell portion provided on the core portion, and a second shell portionprovided on the first shell portion.

The core portion contains ε ferric oxide. It is desirable that ε ferricoxide contained in the core portion has ε-Fe₂O₃ crystals as a mainphase, and it is more desirable that ε ferric oxide is formed of α-Fe₂O₃of a single phase.

The first shell portion covers at least a part of the periphery of thecore portion. Specifically, the first shell portion may partially coverthe periphery of the core portion, or may cover the entire periphery ofthe core portion. It is desirable that the first shell portion coversthe entire surface of a core portion 21, from the viewpoint of makingexchange coupling between the core portion and the first shell portionsufficient, and of improving magnetic properties.

The first shell portion is a so-called soft magnetic layer, and forexample, contains a soft magnetic body such as α-Fe, an Ni—Fe alloy, andan Fe—Si—Al alloy. α-Fe may be obtained by reducing ε ferric oxidecontained in the core portion 21.

The second shell portion is an oxide film as an antioxidant layer. Thesecond shell portion contains α ferric oxide, aluminum oxide, or siliconoxide. α ferric oxide, for example, includes at least one type of ferricoxide of Fe₃O₄, Fe₂O₃, or FeO. In a case where the first shell portioncontains α-Fe (the soft magnetic body), a ferric oxide may be obtainedby oxidizing α-Fe contained in the first shell portion 22 a.

The ε ferric oxide particles include the first shell portion asdescribed above, and thus, it is possible to adjust a coercive force Hcof the entire ε ferric oxide particles (core-shell particles) to acoercive force Hc that is suitable for record while retaining a coerciveforce Hc of a single body of the core portion, in order to ensurethermal stability. In addition, the ε ferric oxide particles include thesecond shell portion as described above, and thus, it is possible tosuppress a decrease in the properties of the ε ferric oxide particlesdue to rust or the like that occurs on a particle surface by exposingthe ε ferric oxide particles to the air, in a manufacturing step of themagnetic recording medium and before the step. Therefore, it is possibleto suppress property degradation of the magnetic recording medium 1.

An average particle size (an average maximum particle size) of themagnetic powder is desirably less than or equal to 22 nm, is moredesirably greater than or equal to 8 nm and less than or equal to 22 nm,and is even more desirably greater than or equal to 12 nm and less thanor equal to 22 nm.

An average aspect ratio of the magnetic powder is desirably greater thanor equal to 1 and less than or equal to 2.5, is more desirably greaterthan or equal to 1 and less than or equal to 2.1, and is even moredesirably greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to 1.8. In acase where the average aspect ratio of the magnetic powder is in a rangeof greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to 2.5, it ispossible to suppress the aggregation of the magnetic powder, and tosuppress resistance that is applied to the magnetic powder at the timeof vertically orienting the magnetic powder in a forming step of themagnetic layer 13. Therefore, it is possible to improve verticalorientation properties of the magnetic powder.

An average volume Vave (a particle volume) of the magnetic powder isdesirably less than or equal to 2300 nm³, is more desirably less than orequal to 2200 nm³, is more desirably less than or equal to 2100 nm³, ismore desirably less than or equal to 1950 nm³, is more desirably lessthan or equal to 1600 nm³, and is even more desirably less than or equalto 1300 nm³. In a case where the average volume Vave of the magneticpowder is less than or equal to 2300 nm³, it is possible to narrow thehalf width of the solitary waveform (less than or equal to 195 nm) inthe reproduction waveform of the servo signal, and to make the peak ofthe reproduction waveform of the servo signal sharp. Accordingly, thereading accuracy of the servo signal is improved, and thus, it ispossible to increase the number of recording tracks, and to improve therecording density of the data (the details will be described below).Note that, it is excellent that the average volume Vave of the magneticpowder becomes smaller, and thus, a lower limit value of the volume isnot particularly limited, but for example, the lower limit value isgreater than or equal to 1000 nm³.

The average particle size, the average aspect ratio, and the averagevolume Vave of the magnetic powder described above are obtained asfollows (for example, in a case where the magnetic powder is in theshape of a spherical body as with the ε ferric oxide particles). First,the magnetic recording medium 1 that is a measurement target is workedby a focused ion beam (FIB) method and the like, a thin piece isprepared, and a sectional surface of the thin piece is observed with aTEM. Next, 50 magnetic powders are randomly selected from a TEM picturethat is captured, and a long axis length DL and a short axis length DSof each of the magnetic powders are measured. Here, the long axis lengthDL indicates the maximum distance between two parallel lines drawn fromall angles to be in contact with the outline of the magnetic powder (aso-called maximum Feret diameter). On the other hand, the short axislength DS indicates the maximum length of the magnetic powder in adirection orthogonal to a long axis of the magnetic powder.

Subsequently, the long axis lengths DL of 50 magnetic powders that aremeasured are simply averaged (arithmetically averaged), and thus, anaverage long axis length DLave is obtained. Then, the average long axislength DLave that is obtained as described above is set to the averageparticle size of the magnetic powder. In addition, the short axislengths DS of 50 magnetic powders that are measured are simply averaged(arithmetically averaged), and thus, an average short axis length DSaveis obtained. Next, the average aspect ratio (DLave/DSave) of themagnetic powder is obtained from the average long axis length DLave andthe average short axis length DSave.

Next, the average volume Vave (the particle volume) of the magneticpowder is obtained from the following expression by using the averagelong axis length DLave.Vave=π/6×DLave³

In this description, a case has been described in which the ε ferricoxide particles include the shell portion of the two-layer structure,but the ε ferric oxide particles may include a shell portion of a singlelayer structure. In this case, the shell portion has a configurationidentical to that of the first shell portion. However, as describedabove, it is desirable that the ε ferric oxide particles include theshell portion of the two-layer structure, from the viewpoint ofsuppressing the property degradation of the ε ferric oxide particles.

In the above description, a case has been described in which the εferric oxide particles have the core-shell structure, but the ε ferricoxide particles may contain an additive instead of the core-shellstructure, or may contain the additive along with the core-shellstructure. In this case, a part of Fe of the ε ferric oxide particles issubstituted with the additive. The ε ferric oxide particles contain theadditive, and thus, it is possible to adjust the coercive force Hc ofthe entire ε ferric oxide particles to the coercive force Hc that issuitable for record, and therefore, it is possible to improve recordingeasiness. The additive is a metal element other than iron, is desirablya trivalent metal element, is more desirably at least one type of metalelement of Al, Ga, or In, and is even more desirably at least one typeof metal element of Al or Ga.

Specifically, ε ferric oxide containing the additive isε-Fe_(2-x)M_(x)O₃ crystals (however, M is a metal element other thaniron, is desirably a trivalent metal element, is more desirably at leastone type of metal element of Al, Ga, or In, and is even more desirablyat least one type of metal element of Al or Ga, and x, for example, is0<x<1).

The magnetic powder may include a powder nanoparticles containing ofhexagonal ferrite (hereinafter, referred to as “hexagonal ferriteparticles”). The hexagonal ferrite particles, for example, are in theshape of a hexagonal plate or approximately in the shape of a hexagonalplate. Hexagonal ferrite desirably includes at least one type of metalelement of Ba, Sr, Pb, or Ca, and more desirably includes at least onetype of metal element of Ba or Sr. Specifically, hexagonal ferrite, forexample, may be barium ferrite or strontium ferrite. Barium ferrite mayfurther contain at least one type of metal element of Sr, Pb, or Ca inaddition to Ba. Strontium ferrite may further contain at least one typeof metal element of Ba, Pb, or Ca in addition to Sr.

More specifically, hexagonal ferrite has an average compositionrepresented by a general formula of MFe₁₂O₁₉. However, M, for example,is at least one type of metal of Ba, Sr, Pb, or Ca, and is desirably atleast one type of metal of Ba or Sr. M may be a combination of Ba, andone or more types of metals selected from the group consisting of Sr,Pb, and Ca. In addition, M may be a combination of Sr, and one or moretypes or metals selected from the group consisting of Ba, Pb, and Ca. Inthe general formula described above, a part of Fe may be substitutedwith other metal elements.

In a case where the magnetic powder includes a powder of hexagonalferrite particles, the average particle size of the magnetic powder isdesirably less than or equal to 50 nm, is more desirably greater than orequal to 10 nm and less than or equal to 40 nm, and is even moredesirably greater than or equal to 15 nm and less than or equal to 30nm. In a case where the magnetic powder includes a powder of hexagonalferrite particles, the average aspect ratio of the magnetic powder andthe average volume Vave of the magnetic powder are as described above.

Note that, the average particle size, the average aspect ratio, and theaverage volume Vave of the magnetic powder are obtained as follows (forexample, in a case where the magnetic powder is in the shape of a plateas with hexagonal ferrite). First, the magnetic recording medium 1 thatis a measurement target is worked by an FIB method and the like, a thinpiece is prepared, and a sectional surface of a thin piece is observedwith a TEM. Next, 50 magnetic powders that are oriented at an angle ofgreater than or equal to 75 degrees with respect to the horizontaldirection are randomly selected from a TEM picture that is captured, anda maximum plate thickness DA of each of the magnetic powders ismeasured. Subsequently, the maximum plate thicknesses DA of 50 magneticpowders that are measured are simply averaged (arithmetically averaged),and thus, an average maximum plate thickness DAave is obtained.

Next, the surface of the magnetic layer 13 of the magnetic recordingmedium 1 is observed with a TEM. Next, 50 magnetic powders are randomlyselected from a TEM picture that is captured, and a maximum platediameter DB of each of the magnetic powders is measured. Here, themaximum plate diameter DB indicates the maximum distance between twoparallel lines drawn from all angles to be in contact with the outlineof the magnetic powder (a so-called maximum Feret diameter).Subsequently, the maximum plate diameters DB of 50 magnetic powders thatare measured are simply averaged (arithmetically averaged), and thus, anaverage maximum plate diameter DBave is obtained. Then, the averagemaximum plate diameter DBave that is obtained as described above is setto the average particle size of the magnetic powder. Next, an averageaspect ratio (DBave/DAave) of the magnetic powder is obtained from theaverage maximum plate thickness DAave and the average maximum platediameter DBave.

Next, the average volume Vave (the particle volume) of the magneticpowder is obtained from the following expression by using the averagemaximum plate thickness DAave and the average maximum plate diameterDBave.Vave=3√⅜×DAave×DBave²

The magnetic powder may include a powder of nanoparticles containingCo-containing spinel ferrite (hereinafter, referred to as “cobaltferrite particles”). It is desirable that the cobalt ferrite particleshave uniaxial anisotropy. The cobalt ferrite particles, for example, arein the shape of a cube or approximately in the shape of a cube.Co-containing spinel ferrite may further contain at least one type ofmetal element of Ni, Mn, Al, Cu, or Zn in addition to Co.

Co-containing spinel ferrite, for example, has an average compositionrepresented by Formula (1) described below.Co_(x)M_(y)Fe₂O_(z)  (1)

(However, in Formula (1), M, for example, is at least one type of metalof Ni, Mn, Al, Cu, or Zn. x is a value in a range of 0.4≤x≤1.0. y is avalue in a range of 0≤y≤0.3. However, x and y satisfy a relationship of(x+y)≤1.0. z is a value in a range of 3≤z≤4. A part of Fe may besubstituted with other metal elements.)

In a case where the magnetic powder include a powder of cobalt ferriteparticles, the average particle size of the magnetic powder is desirablyless than or equal to 25 nm, and is more desirably less than or equal to23 nm. In a case where the magnetic powder include the powder of thecobalt ferrite particles, the average aspect ratio of the magneticpowder is obtained by the method as described above, and the averagevolume Vave of the magnetic powder is obtained by a method describedbelow. In addition, the average aspect ratio of the magnetic powder isalso obtained as described above.

Note that, in a case where the magnetic powder is in the shape of a cubeas with the cobalt ferrite particles, the average volume Vave (theparticle volume) of the magnetic powder can be obtained as follows.First, the surface of the magnetic layer 13 of the magnetic recordingmedium 1 is observed with a TEM, and then, 50 magnetic powders arerandomly selected from a TEM picture that is captured, and a length DCof a side of each of the magnetic powders is measured. Subsequently, thelengths DC of the sides of 50 magnetic powders that are measured aresimply averaged (arithmetically averaged), and thus, an average sidelength DCave is obtained. Next, the average volume Vave (the particlevolume) of the magnetic powder is obtained from the following expressionby using the average side length DCave.Vave=DCave³

(Binder)

A resin having a structure subjected to a cross-linking reaction, suchas a polyurethane-based resin and a vinyl chloride-based resin, isdesirable as the binder. However, the binder is not limited thereto, andmay be suitably compounded with other resins in accordance with physicalproperties and the like that are required with respect to the magneticrecording medium 1. The resin to be compounded is not particularlylimited insofar as the resin is a resin that is generally used in thegeneral coating type magnetic recording medium 1.

For example, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, a vinylchloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, a vinyl chloride-vinylidene chloridecopolymer, a vinyl chloride-acrylonitrile copolymer, an acrylicester-acrylonitrile copolymer, an acrylic ester-vinylchloride-vinylidene chloride copolymer, a vinyl chloride-acrylonitrilecopolymer, an acrylic ester-acrylonitrile copolymer, an acrylicester-vinylidene chloride copolymer, a methacrylic ester-vinylidenechloride copolymer, a methacrylic ester-vinyl chloride copolymer, amethacrylic ester-ethylene copolymer, polyvinyl fluoride, a vinylidenechloride-acrylonitrile copolymer, an acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer,a polyamide resin, polyvinyl butyral, a cellulose derivative (celluloseacetate butyrate, cellulose diacetate, cellulose triacetate, cellulosepropionate, and nitrocellulose), a styrene butadiene copolymer, apolyester resin, an amino resin, synthetic rubber, and the like areexemplified.

In addition, examples of a thermosetting resin or an reactive resininclude a phenolic resin, an epoxy resin, an urea resin, a melamineresin, an alkyd resin, a silicone resin, a polyamine resin, an ureaformaldehyde resin, and the like.

In addition, a polar functional group such as —SO₃M, —OSO₃M, —COOM, andP═O(OM)₂ may be introduced to each binder as described above, in orderto improve the dispersibility of the magnetic powder. Here, in theformula, M is a hydrogen atom, or an alkali metal such as lithium,potassium, and sodium.

Further, examples of the polar functional group include a side chaintype polar functional group having a terminal group such as —NR1R2 and—NR1R2R3+X⁻, and a main chain type polar functional group such as>NR1R2⁺X⁻. Here, in the formula, R1, R2, and R3 are a hydrogen atom or ahydrocarbon group, and X⁻ is a halogen element ion of fluorine,chlorine, bromine, iodine, and the like, or an inorganic or organic ion.In addition, examples of the polar functional group include —OH, —SH,—CN, an epoxy group, and the like.

(Lubricant)

It is desirable that the lubricant contains a compound represented byGeneral Formula (1) described below and a compound represented byGeneral Formula (2) described below. The lubricant contains suchcompounds, and thus, it is possible to particularly reduce a dynamicfriction coefficient of the surface of the magnetic layer 13. Therefore,it is possible to further improve traveling properties of the magneticrecording medium 1.CH₃(CH₂)_(n)COOH  (1)

(However, in General Formula (1), n is an integer that is selected froma range of greater than or equal to 14 and less than or equal to 22.)CH₃(CH₂)_(p)COO(CH₂)_(q)CH₃  (2)

(However, in General Formula (2), p is an integer that is selected froma range of greater than or equal to 14 and less than or equal to 22, andq is an integer that is selected from a range of greater than or equalto 2 and less than or equal to 5.)

(Additive)

The magnetic layer 13 may further contain aluminum oxide (α, β, or γalumina), chromium oxide, silicon oxide, diamond, garnet, emery, boronnitride, titanium carbide, silicon carbide, titanium carbide, titaniumoxide (rutile type or anatase type titanium oxide), and the like, asnon-magnetic reinforcement particles.

[Non-Magnetic Layer 12]

The non-magnetic layer 12 is provided between the base material 11 andthe magnetic layer 13. The non-magnetic layer 12 contains a non-magneticpowder and a binder. The non-magnetic layer 12 may contain an additivesuch as conductive particles, a lubricant, a curing agent, and a rustpreventive material, as necessary.

The thickness of the non-magnetic layer 12 is desirably greater than orequal to 0.6 μm and less than or equal to 2.0 μm, and is more desirablygreater than or equal to 0.8 μm and less than or equal to 1.4 μm. Thethickness of the non-magnetic layer 12 can be obtained by the samemethod as the method of obtaining the thickness of the magnetic layer 13(for example, a TEM). Note that, the magnification of a TEM image issuitably adjusted in accordance with the thickness of the non-magneticlayer 12.

Note that, as described below, it is advantageous that the thickness ofthe non-magnetic support body (the base material 11) is the same inorder for high capacity since it is possible to increase the entirelength of the tape as the thickness of the non-magnetic layer 12 becomesthin, from the viewpoint of storage capacity per one tape cartridge.That is, the thickness of the non-magnetic layer 12 is desirably greaterthan or equal to 0.6 μm and less than or equal to 1.1 μm, and is moredesirably greater than or equal to 0.6 μm and less than or equal to 0.8μm, from the viewpoint of high capacity of the tape cartridge.

(Non-Magnetic Powder)

The non-magnetic powder, for example, includes at least one type ofpowder of an inorganic particle powder or an organic particle powder. Inaddition, the non-magnetic powder may contain Fe-based non-magneticparticles such as hematite (α-Fe₂O₃) or goethite (FeO(OH)), and a carbonmaterial such as carbon black. Note that, one type of non-magneticpowder may be independently used, or two or more types of non-magneticpowders may be used by being combined. The inorganic particles, forexample, contain a metal, a metal oxide, a metal carbonate, a metalsulfate, a metal nitride, a metal carbide, a metal sulfide, and thelike. The non-magnetic powder, for example, is in various shapes of aneedle, a spindle, a sphere, a cube, a plate, and the like, but is notlimited thereto.

(Binder)

The binder is identical to that of the magnetic layer 13 as describedabove.

[Back Layer 14]

The back layer 14 contains a non-magnetic powder and a binder. The backlayer 14 may contain an additive such as a lubricant, a curing agent,and an antistatic agent, as necessary. Materials identical to thematerials that are used in the non-magnetic layer 12 as described aboveare used as the non-magnetic powder and the binder.

(Non-Magnetic Powder)

An average particle size of the non-magnetic powder is desirably greaterthan or equal to 10 nm and less than or equal to 150 nm, and is moredesirably greater than or equal to 15 nm and less than or equal to 110nm. The average particle size of the non-magnetic powder is obtained aswith the average particle size D of the magnetic powder described above.The non-magnetic powder may include a non-magnetic powder having aparticle size distribution of greater than or equal to 2.

An upper limit value of an average thickness of the back layer 14 isdesirably less than or equal to 0.6 μm. In a case where the upper limitvalue of the average thickness of the back layer 14 is less than orequal to 0.6 μm, it is possible to retain the thickness of thenon-magnetic layer 12 or the base material 11 to be thick even in a casewhere an average thickness of the magnetic recording medium 1 is 5.6 μm,and thus, it is possible to retain traveling stability in a recordingreproduction device of the magnetic recording medium 1. A lower limitvalue of the average thickness of the back layer 14 is not particularlylimited, and for example, is greater than or equal to 0.2 μm.

The average thickness of the back layer 14 is obtained as follows.First, the magnetic recording medium 1 having a width of ½ inches isprepared, and the magnetic recording medium 1 is cut out to have alength of 250 mm, and thus, a sample is prepared. Next, the thickness ofthe sample is measured in five or more positions by using laser HOLOGazemanufactured by Mitutoyo Corporation as a measurement device, andmeasurement values are simply averaged (arithmetically averaged), andthus, an average value t_(T) [μm] of the magnetic recording medium 1 iscalculated. Note that, the measurement position is randomly selectedfrom the sample. Subsequently, the back layer 14 of the sample isremoved by a solvent such as methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) or a dilutehydrochloric acid. After that, the thickness of the sample is measuredin five or more positions by using laser HOLOGaze described above again,and measurement values are simply averaged (arithmetically averaged),and thus, an average value t_(B) [μm] of the magnetic recording medium 1from which the back layer 14 is removed is calculated. Note that, themeasurement position is randomly selected from the sample. After that,an average thickness t_(b) [μm] of the back layer 14 is obtained by thefollowing expression.t _(b) [μm]=t _(T) [μm]−t _(B) [μm]

The back layer 14 includes a surface on which a plurality of protrusionsare provided. The plurality of protrusions are provided in order to forma plurality of hole portions on the surface of the magnetic layer 13, ina state where the magnetic recording medium 1 is wound into the shape ofa roll. The plurality of hole portions, for example, is configured of aplurality of non-magnetic particles protruding from the surface of theback layer 14.

In the description, a case has been described in which the plurality ofprotrusions provided on the surface of the back layer 14 are transferredonto the surface of the magnetic layer 13, and thus, the plurality ofhole portions are formed on the surface of the magnetic layer 13, but aforming method of the plurality of hole portions is not limited thereto.For example, the plurality of hole portions may be formed on the surfaceof the magnetic layer 13 by adjusting the type of solvent contained in acoating material for forming a magnetic layer, a drying condition of thecoating material for forming a magnetic layer, and the like.

[Average Thickness of Magnetic Recording Medium]

An upper limit value of an average thickness (an average totalthickness) of the magnetic recording medium 1 is desirably less than orequal to 5.6 μm, is more desirably less than or equal to 5.0 μm, is moredesirably less than or equal to 4.6 μm, and is even more desirably lessthan or equal to 4.4 μm. In a case where the average thickness of themagnetic recording medium 1 is less than or equal to 5.6 μm, it ispossible to increase the recording capacity that is capable ofperforming recording in the cartridge 21, compared to a general magneticrecording medium. A lower limit value of the average thickness of themagnetic recording medium 1 is not particularly limited, and forexample, is greater than or equal to 3.5 μm.

The average thickness of the magnetic recording medium 1 is obtained inaccordance with the procedure described in the method of obtaining theaverage thickness of the back layer 14 as described above.

(Coercive Force Hc)

An upper limit value of the coercive force Hc in the longitudinaldirection of the magnetic recording medium 1 is desirably less than orequal to 2000 Oe, is more desirably less than or equal to 1900 Oe, andis even more desirably less than or equal to 1800 Oe.

In a case where a lower limit value of the coercive force Hc that ismeasured in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic recording medium1 is desirably greater than or equal to 1000 Oe, it is possible tosuppress demagnetization due to leakage flux from the recording head.

The coercive force Hc described above is obtained as follows. First,three magnetic recording media 1 are stacked with a double-faced tape,and then, are punched out with a punch of ϕ0.39 mm, and thus, ameasurement sample is prepared. Then, an M-H loop of the measurementsample (the entire magnetic recording medium 1) corresponding to thelongitudinal direction of the of the magnetic recording medium 1 (atraveling direction of the magnetic recording medium 1) is measured byusing a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Next, the coated film (thenon-magnetic layer 12, the magnetic layer 13, the back layer 14, and thelike) is eliminated by using acetone, ethanol, or the like, and thus,only the base material 11 remains. Then, three base materials 11 thatare obtained are stacked with a double-faced tape, and then, are punchedwith a punch of ϕ6.39 mm, and thus, a sample for background correction(hereinafter, simply referred to as a sample for correction) isobtained. After that, an M-H loop of the sample for correction (the basematerial 11) corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the basematerial 11 (the traveling direction of the magnetic recording medium 1)is measured by using a VSM.

The M-H loop of the measurement sample (the entire magnetic recordingmedium 1) and the M-H loop of the sample for correction (the basematerial 11) are measured by using a high sensitive vibrating samplemagnetometer “VSM-P7-15 type magnetometer” manufactured by TOEI INDUSTRYCO., LTD. In a measurement condition, Measurement Mode: full loop,Maximum Magnetic Field: 15 kOe, Magnetic Field Step: 40 bits, TimeConstant of Locking Amp: 0.3 sec, Waiting Time: 1 sec, and MR AverageNumber: 20 are set.

Two M-H loops are obtained, and then, the M-H loop of the sample forcorrection (the base material 11) is subtracted from the M-H loop of themeasurement sample (the entire magnetic recording medium 1), and thus,background correction is performed, and an M-H loop after the backgroundcorrection is obtained. The background correction is calculated by usinga measurement and analysis program that is attached to “VSM-P7-15 typemagnetometer”.

The coercive force Hc is obtained from the obtained M-H loop after thebackground correction. Note that, such calculation is performed by usingthe measurement and analysis program that is attached to “VSM-P7-15 typemagnetometer”. Note that, the measurement of the M-H loop describedabove is performed at 25° C. In addition, “diamagnetic field correction”at the time of measuring the M-H loop in the longitudinal direction ofthe magnetic recording medium 1 is not performed.

(Orientation Angle (Squareness Ratio))

An orientation angle (the degree of vertical orientation) in thevertical direction (the thickness direction) of the magnetic recordingmedium 1 is greater than or equal to 65%, is desirably greater than orequal to 70%, is more desirably greater than or equal to 75%, and ismore desirably greater than or equal to 80%. In a case where the degreeof vertical orientation is greater than or equal to 65%, the verticalorientation properties of the magnetic powder sufficiently increase, andthus, a more excellent SNR can be obtained.

The degree of vertical orientation is obtained as follows. First, threemagnetic recording media 1 are stacked with a double-faced tape, andthen, are punched out with a punch of ϕ6.39 mm, and thus, a measurementsample is prepared. Then, an M-H loop of the measurement sample (theentire magnetic recording medium 1) corresponding to the verticaldirection (the thickness direction) of the magnetic recording medium 1is measured by using a VSM. Next, the coated film (the non-magneticlayer 12, the magnetic layer 13, the back layer 14, and the like) iseliminated by using acetone, ethanol, or the like, and thus, only thebase material 11 remains. Then, three base materials 11 that areobtained are stacked with a double-faced tape, and then, are punched outwith a punch of ϕ6.39 mm, and thus, a sample for background correction(hereinafter, simply referred to as a sample for correction) isobtained. After that, an M-H loop of the sample for correction (the basematerial 11) corresponding to the vertical direction of the basematerial 11 (the vertical direction of the magnetic recording medium 1)is measured by using a VSM.

The M-H loop of the measurement sample (the entire magnetic recordingmedium 1) and the M-H loop of the sample for correction (the basematerial 11) are measured by using a high sensitive vibrating samplemagnetometer “VSM-P7-15 type magnetometer” manufactured by TOEI INDUSTRYCO., LTD. In a measurement condition, Measurement Mode: full loop,Maximum Magnetic Field: 15 kOe, Magnetic Field Step: 40 bits, TimeConstant of Locking Amp: 0.3 sec, Waiting Time: 1 sec, and MR AverageNumber: 20 are set.

Two M-H loops are obtained, and then, the M-H loop of the sample forcorrection (the base material 11) is subtracted from the M-H loop of themeasurement sample (the entire magnetic recording medium 1), and thus,background correction is performed, and an M-H loop after the backgroundcorrection is obtained. The background correction is calculated by usinga measurement and analysis program that is attached to “VSM-P7-15 typemagnetometer”.

Saturated magnetization Ms (emu) and remanent magnetization Mr (emu) ofthe obtained M-H loop after the background correction are substitutedinto the following expression, and the degree of vertical orientation(%) is calculated. Note that, the measurement of the M-H loop describedabove is performed at 25° C. In addition, “diamagnetic field correction”at the time of measuring the M-H loop in the vertical direction of themagnetic recording medium 1 is not performed. Note that, suchcalculation is performed by using the measurement and analysis programthat is attached to “VSM-P7-15 type magnetometer”.Degree of Vertical Orientation (%)=(Mr/Ms)×100

The orientation angle (the degree of longitudinal orientation) in thelongitudinal direction (the traveling direction) of the magneticrecording medium 1 is desirably less than or equal to 35%, is moredesirably less than or equal to 30%, and is even more desirably lessthan or equal to 25%. In a case where the degree of longitudinalorientation is less than or equal to 35%, the vertical orientationproperties of the magnetic powder sufficiently increase, and thus, amore excellent SNR can be obtained.

The degree of longitudinal orientation is obtained by the same method asthat of the degree of vertical orientation, except that the M-H loop ismeasured in the longitudinal direction (the traveling direction) of themagnetic recording medium 1 and the base material 11.

(Dynamic Friction Coefficient)

In a case where a ratio (μ_(B)/μ_(A)) of a dynamic friction coefficientμ_(B) between the surface of the magnetic layer 13 and the magnetic headwhen the tensile force to be applied to the magnetic recording medium 1is 0.4 N to a dynamic friction coefficient μ_(A) between the surface ofthe magnetic layer 13 and the magnetic head when a tensile force to beapplied to the magnetic recording medium 1 is 1.2 N is desirably greaterthan or equal to 1.0 and less than or equal to 2.0, it is possible todecrease a change in the friction coefficient due to a variation in thetensile force at the time of traveling, and thus, it is possible tostabilize the traveling of the tape.

A ratio (μ₁₀₀₀/μ₅) of the 1000th traveling value of μ1000 to the fifthtraveling value of μ5 of the dynamic friction coefficient μ_(A) betweenthe surface of the magnetic layer 13 and the magnetic head when thetensile force to be applied to the magnetic recording medium 1 is 0.6 Nis desirably greater than or equal to 1.0 and less than or equal to 2.0,and is more desirably greater than or equal to 1.0 and less than orequal to 1.5. In a case where the ratio (μ_(B)/μ_(A)) is greater than orequal to 1.0 and less than or equal to 2.0, it is possible to decrease achange in the friction coefficient due to traveling of a plurality oftimes, and thus, it is possible to stabilize the traveling of the tape.

[Data Band and Servo Band]

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the magnetic recording medium 1 seenfrom an upper side. The magnetic layer 13 includes a plurality of databands d (data bands d0 to d3) long in the longitudinal direction (the Xaxis direction) in which the data signal is to be written, and aplurality of servo bands s (servo bands s0 to s4) long in thelongitudinal direction in which the servo signal is written, withreference to FIG. 2. The servo bands s are arranged in positionsinterposing each of the data bands d in the width direction (the Y axisdirection).

In the present technology, a ratio of the area of the servo band s tothe area of the entire surface of the magnetic layer 13 is typicallyless than or equal to 4.0%. Note that, the width of the servo band s istypically less than or equal to 95 μm. The ratio of the area of theservo band to the area of the entire surface of the magnetic layer 13,for example, can be measured by developing the magnetic recording medium1 with a developer such as a fericolloid developer, and then, byobserving the developed magnetic recording medium 1 with an opticalmicroscope.

The servo bands s are arranged in the positions interposing the databand d, and thus, the number of servo bands s is one greater than thenumber of data bands d. In an example illustrated in FIG. 2, a casewhere the number of data bands d is 4, and the number of servo bands sis 5 is exemplified (in the existing system, such a method is generallyadopted).

Note that, the number of data bands d and the number of servo bands scan be suitably changed, and may be increased.

In this case, the number of servo bands s is desirably greater than orequal to 5. In a case where the number of servo bands s is greater thanor equal to 5, it is possible to suppress the influence of a readingaccuracy of the servo signal due to a dimensional change in the widthdirection of the magnetic recording medium 1, and to ensure stablerecording reproduction properties with few off-tracks.

In addition, the number of data bands d may be set to 8, 12, . . . (thatis, 4n (n is an integer of greater than or equal to 2)), and the numberof servo bands s may be set to 9, 13, . . . (that is, 4n+1 (n is aninteger of greater than or equal to 2)). In this case, it is possible torespond to a change in the number of data bands d and the number ofservo bands s without changing the existing system.

The data band d includes a plurality of recording tracks 5 that are longin the longitudinal direction and are arranged in the width direction.The data signal is recorded in the recording track 5 along the recordingtrack 5. Note that, in the present technology, a one-bit length in thelongitudinal direction of the data signal that is recorded in the databand d is typically less than or equal to 48 nm. The servo band sincludes a servo signal recording pattern 6 of a predetermined patternin which the servo signal is recorded by a servo signal recording device(not illustrated).

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view illustrating the recording track 5 in thedata band d. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the recording track 5 is long inthe longitudinal direction, is arranged in the width direction, and hasa predetermined recording track width Wd for each track in the widthdirection. The recording track width Wd is typically less than or equalto 2.0 μm. Note that, such a recording track width Wd, for example, canbe measured by developing the magnetic recording medium 1 with adeveloper such as a fericolloid developer, and then, by observing thedeveloped magnetic recording medium 1 with an optical microscope.

The number of recording tracks 5 included in one data band d, forexample, is approximately 1000 to 2000.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view illustrating the servo signal recordingpattern 6 in the servo band s. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the servosignal recording pattern 6 includes a plurality of stripes 7 that areinclined at a predetermined azimuth angle α with respect to the widthdirection (the Y axis direction). The plurality of stripes 7 are sortedinto a first stripe group 8 that is inclined in a clockwise directionwith respect to the width direction (the Y axis direction), and a secondstripe group 9 that is inclined in a counterclockwise direction withrespect to the width direction. Note that, the shape or the like of thestripe 7, for example, can be measured by developing the magneticrecording medium 1 with a developer such as a fericolloid developer, andthen, by observing the developed magnetic recording medium 1 with anoptical microscope.

In FIG. 4, a servo trace line T that is a line traced by a servo readinghead on the servo signal recording pattern 6 is illustrated by a brokenline. The servo trace line T is set along the longitudinal direction(the X axis direction), and is set at a predetermined interval Ps in thewidth direction.

The number of servo trace lines T per one servo band s, for example, isapproximately 30 to 60.

The interval Ps between two adjacent servo trace lines T is identical tothe value of the recording track width Wd, and for example, is less thanor equal to 2.0 μm. Here, the interval Ps between two adjacent servotrace lines T is a value that defines the recording track width Wd. Thatis, in a case where the interval Ps between the servo trace lines T isnarrowed, the recording track width Wd decreases, and the number ofrecording tracks 5 included in one data band d increases. As a resultthereof, the recording capacity of the data increases (in a case wherethe interval Ps is widened, the opposite). Therefore, in order toincrease the recording capacity, it is necessary to decrease therecording track width Wd, but the interval Ps between the servo tracelines T is also narrowed, and thus, it is difficult to accurately tracethe adjacent servo trace lines. Therefore, in this embodiment, asdescribed below, it is also possible to respond the narrowed interval Psby increasing a reading accuracy of the servo signal recording pattern6.

<Data Recording Device 20>

Next, a data recording device 20 performing record and reproduction ofthe data signal with respect to the magnetic recording medium 1 will bedescribed. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the data recordingdevice 20. Note that, in the specification (and the drawings), acoordinate system based on the data recording device 20 indicates anX′Y′Z′ coordinate system.

The data recording device 20 is configured to be capable of loading thecartridge 21 containing the magnetic recording medium 1. Note that,here, for the sake of easy description, a case where the data recordingdevice 20 is capable of loading one cartridge 21 will be described, butthe data recording device 20 may be configured to be capable of loadinga plurality of cartridges 21.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the data recording device 20 includes aspindle 27, a reel 22, a spindle driving device 23, a reel drivingdevice 24, a plurality of guide rollers 25, a head unit 30, and acontrol device 26.

The spindle 27 is configured to be capable of loading the cartridge 21.The cartridge 21 is based on a linear tape open (LTO) standard, andcontains the wound magnetic recording medium 1 in a case to berotatable. The reel 22 is configured to be capable of fixing a tip endside of the magnetic recording medium 1 that is drawn from the cartridge21.

The spindle driving device 23 rotates the spindle 27 in accordance witha command from the control device 26. The reel driving device 24 rotatesthe reel 22 in accordance with the command from the control device 26.When the record/reproduction of the data signal is performed withrespect to the magnetic recording medium 1, the spindle 27 and the reel22 are rotated by the spindle driving device 23 and the reel drivingdevice 24, and the magnetic recording medium 1 travels. The guide roller25 is a roller for guiding the traveling of the magnetic recordingmedium 1.

The control device 26, for example, includes a control unit, a storageunit, a communication unit, and the like. The control unit, for example,includes a central processing unit (CPU) and the like, andcomprehensively controls each unit of the data recording device 20, inaccordance with a program stored in the storage unit.

The storage unit includes a non-volatile memory in which various dataitems or various programs are recorded, and a volatile memory that isused as a working area of the control unit. The various programsdescribed above may be read from a portable recording medium such as anoptical disk and a semiconductor memory, or may be downloaded from aserver device on a network. The communication unit is configured to becapable of performing communication with respect to other devices suchas a personal computer (PC) and a server device.

The head unit 30 is configured to be capable of recording the datasignal in the magnetic recording medium 1, in accordance with thecommand from the control device 26. In addition, the head unit 30 isconfigured to be capable of reproducing the data that is written in themagnetic recording medium 1, in accordance with the command from thecontrol device 26.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of the head unit 30 seen from a lower side. Asillustrated in FIG. 6, the head unit 30 includes a first head unit 30 aand a second head unit 30 b. The first head unit 30 a and the secondhead unit 30 b are configured to be symmetric in an X′ axis direction(the traveling direction of the magnetic recording medium 1). The firsthead unit 30 a and the second head unit 30 b are configured to becapable of being moved in the width direction (a Y′ axis direction).

The first head unit 30 a is a head that is used when the magneticrecording medium 1 travels in a forward direction (a direction flowingfrom the cartridge 21 side to the device 20 side). On the other hand,the second head unit 30 b is a head that is used when the magneticrecording medium 1 travels in a reverse direction (a direction flowingfrom the device 20 side to the cartridge 21 side).

The first head unit 30 a and the second head unit 30 b basically havethe same configuration, and thus, the first head unit 30 a will berepresentatively described.

The first head unit 30 a includes a unit main body 31, two servo readingheads 32, and a plurality of data writing/reading heads 33.

The servo reading head 32 is configured to be capable of reproducing aservo signal 6 by reading magnetic flux that is generated from magneticinformation recorded in the magnetic recording medium 1 (the servo bands) with a magneto resistive (MR) element or the like. That is, the servosignal recording pattern 6 that is recorded on the servo band s is readby the servo reading head 32, and thus, the servo signal is reproduced.The servo reading heads 32 are respectively provided on both end sidesof the unit main body 31 in the width direction (the Y′ axis direction).An interval between two servo reading heads 32 in the width direction(the Y′ axis direction) is approximately identical to a distance betweenthe adjacent servo bands s of the magnetic recording medium 1.

The data writing/reading heads 33 are arranged at an equal intervalalong the width direction (the Y axis direction). In addition, the datawriting/reading head 33 is arranged in a position interposed between twoservo reading heads 32. The number of data writing/reading heads 33, forexample, is approximately 20 to 40, but is not particularly limited.

The data writing/reading head 33 includes a data writing head 34 and adata reading head 35. The data writing head 34 is configured to becapable of recording the data signal in the magnetic recording medium 1in accordance with a magnetic field that is generated from a magneticgap. In addition, the data reading head 35 is configured to be capableof reproducing the data signal by reading a magnetic field that isgenerated from the magnetic information recorded in the magneticrecording medium 1 (the data band d) with a magneto resistive (MR)element or the like.

In the first head unit 30 a, the data writing head 34 is arranged on aleft side of the data reading head 35 (on an upstream side in a casewhere the magnetic recording medium 1 flows in the forward direction).On the other hand, in the second head unit 30 b, the data writing head34 is arranged on a right side of the data reading head 35 (on anupstream side in a case where the magnetic recording medium 1 flows inthe reverse direction). Note that, the data reading head 35 is capableof reproducing the data signal immediately after the data writing head34 writes the data signal in the magnetic recording medium 1.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a state when the first head unit 30 aperforms record/reproduction of the data signal. Note that, in anexample illustrated in FIG. 7, a state is illustrated in which themagnetic recording medium 1 travels in the forward direction (thedirection flowing from the cartridge 21 side to the device 20 side).

As illustrated in FIG. 7, when the first head unit 30 a performsrecord/reproduction of the data signal, one servo reading head 32 in twoservo reading heads 32 is positioned on one servo band s in two adjacentservo bands s, and reads the servo signal on the servo band s.

In addition, the other servo reading head 32 in two servo reading heads32 is positioned on the other servo band s in two adjacent servo bandss, and reads the servo signal on the servo band s.

In addition, at this time, the control device 26 determines whether ornot the servo reading head 32 accurately traces on the target servotrace line T (refer to FIG. 4), on the basis of the reproductionwaveform of the servo signal recording pattern.

The principle will be described. As illustrated in FIG. 4, in the firststripe group 8 and the second stripe group 9 of the servo signalrecording pattern 6, inclination directions with respect to the widthdirection (the Y axis direction) are opposite to each other. For thisreason, in the servo trace line T on an upper side, a distance betweenthe first stripe group 8 and the second stripe group 9 in thelongitudinal direction (the X axis direction) is relatively narrowed. Onthe other hand, in the servo trace line T on a lower side, the directionbetween the first stripe group 8 and the second stripe group 9 in thelongitudinal direction (the X axis direction) is relatively widened.

For this reason, in the case of obtaining a difference between a timewhen a reproduction waveform of the first stripe group 8 is detected anda time when a reproduction waveform of the second stripe group 9 isdetected, it is known in which position the servo reading head 32 iscurrently positioned with respect to the magnetic recording medium 1 inthe width direction (the Y axis direction).

Accordingly, the control device 26 is capable of determining whether ornot the servo reading head 32 accurately traces on the target servotrace line T, on the basis of the reproduction waveform of the servosignal. Then, in a case where the servo reading head 32 does notaccurately trace on the target servo trace line T, the control device 26moves the head unit 30 in the width direction (the Y′ axis direction),and adjusts the position of the head unit 30.

Returning to FIG. 7, the data writing/reading head 33 records the datasignal in the recording track 5 along the recording track 5 whileadjusting the position in the width direction (in a case where theposition is shifted).

Here, in a case where the entire magnetic recording medium 1 is drawnfrom the cartridge 21, the magnetic recording medium 1 travels in thereverse direction (the direction flowing from the device 20 side to thecartridge 21 side). At this time, the second head unit 30 b is used asthe head unit 30.

In addition, at this time, a servo trace line T that is adjacent to theprevious servo trace line T is used as the servo trace line T. In thiscase, the head unit 30 is moved in the width direction (the Y′ axisdirection) by the interval Ps of the servo trace line T (=RecordingTrack Width Wd).

In addition, In this case, the data signal is recorded in the recordingtrack 5 adjacent to the recording track 5 in which the previous datasignal is recorded.

As described above, the data signal is recorded in the recording track 5while the magnetic recording medium 1 is reciprocated in accordance witha change in the traveling direction between the forward direction andthe reverse direction.

Here, for example, a case is assumed in which the number of servo tracelines T is 50, and the number of data writing/reading heads 33 includedin the first head unit 30 a (or the second head units 30 b) is 32. Inthis case, the number of recording tracks 5 included in one data band dis 1600 by 50×32, and it is necessary to reciprocate the magneticrecording medium 1 25 times in order to record the data signal in all ofthe recording tracks 5.

<Basic Concept of Present Technology>

Next, the basic concept of the present technology will be described. Inthe present technology, it is focused on the half width (PW50) of thesolitary waveform in the reproduction waveform of the servo signal.First, the half width of the solitary waveform will be described.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a reproduction waveform when one stripe7 in the servo signal recording pattern 6 is read. As illustrated inFIG. 8, the reproduction waveform when one stripe 7 is read protrudes toa plus side and a minus side. The solitary waveform basically indicatesany waveform. In FIG. 8, a vertical axis is an intensity (arbitraryunit), and a horizontal axis is a length along the traveling direction(the same applies to FIG. 9).

It is the half thereof.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for illustrating the half width of the solitarywaveform. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the half width is the width of awaveform at a height that is the half (50%) of the maximum value (100%)of the reproduction waveform of the servo signal.

The half width is a value indicating the sharpness of a peak in thereproduction waveform of the servo signal. That is, the sharpness of thepeak in the reproduction waveform increases as the half width becomesnarrow, and on the contrary, the sharpness of the peak in thereproduction waveform decreases as the half width becomes wider.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for illustrating the basic concept of the presenttechnology, and is a diagram illustrating two stripes 7 in the servosignal recording pattern 6.

An arbitrary stripe 7 in a plurality of stripes 7 included in the firststripe group 8 of the servo signal recording pattern 6 is set to a firststripe 7 a, with reference to FIG. 10. In addition, an arbitrary stripe7 in a plurality of stripes 7 included in the second stripe group 9 ofthe servo signal recording pattern 6 is set to a second stripe 7 b.

In addition, an arbitrary servo trace line T in a plurality of servotrace lines T is set to a first servo trace line T1. In addition, aservo trace line T that is adjacent to the first servo trace line T1 isset to a second servo trace line T2.

In addition, an intersection point between the first stripe 7 a and thefirst servo trace line T1 is set to P1. Note that, in P1, an arbitrarypoint on the first stripe 7 a may be set to P1.

In addition, an intersection point between the first stripe 7 a and thesecond servo trace line T2 is set to P2. Note that, in P2, a point onthe first stripe 7 a that is in a position separated from P1 by theinterval Ps (that is, the recording track width Wd) in the widthdirection (the Y axis direction) may be set to P2.

In addition, a distance between P1 and P2 in the longitudinal direction(the X axis direction) is set to a distance D.

In addition, an intersection point between the second stripe 7 b and thefirst servo trace line T1 is set to P3, and an intersection pointbetween the second stripe 7 b and the second servo trace line T2 is setto P4.

When the first servo trace line T1 is traced, it is necessary todetermine a difference between a time when the reproduction waveform isdetected at P1 and a time when the reproduction waveform is detected atP3. The difference is set to a first period.

Similarly, when the second trace line T is traced, it is necessary todetermine a difference between a time when the reproduction waveform isdetected at P2 and a time when the reproduction waveform is detected atP4. The difference is set to a second period.

Next, a difference between the first period and the second period willbe considered. Here, in a case where the interval Ps of the servo traceline T, and the recording track width Wd are 1.56 μm, an azimuth angle αis 12 degrees. In this case, the distance D is 0.33 μm by 1.56××tan 12°.A difference between a distance between P1 and P3 and a distance betweenP2 and P4 is twice the distance D, and thus, is 0.66 μm.

At this time, a traveling speed of the magnetic recording medium 1 is 5m/s, the result is 0.66/5000000, and thus, is 0.13 μs. This is thedifference between the first period and the second period.

That is, in order to accurately trace the first servo trace line T1 andthe second servo trace line T2, it is necessary to accurately determinea small difference of 0.13 μs (in a case where it is not possible toaccurately determine the difference, the data signal is recorded in theadjacent recording track 5).

However, in a case where the sharpness of the peak in the reproductionwaveform (refer to FIG. 8) of the servo signal decreases, it is notpossible to accurately determine such a small difference. In particular,in a case where the recording track width Wd decreases, and the intervalPs of the servo trace line T decreases, in order to increase the numberof recording tracks 5, the distance D is further narrowed, and thedifference between the first period and the second period furtherdecreases.

Therefore, in the present technology, the degree of vertical orientationof the magnetic layer 13 is set to be greater than or equal to aconstant value, and thus, the half width of the solitary waveform in thereproduction waveform of the servo signal is set to be less than orequal to the constant value. Accordingly, the peak in the reproductionwaveform of the servo signal becomes sharp.

More specifically, the degree of vertical orientation of the magneticlayer 13 is set to be greater than or equal to 65%, and thus, the halfwidth of the solitary waveform can be set to be less than or equal to195 nm. Accordingly, it is possible to make the peak in the reproductionwaveform of the servo signal sharp (refer to each example describedbelow) to the extent that the small difference (for example, 0.13 μs) asdescribed above can be identified.

VARIOUS EXAMPLES AND VARIOUS COMPARATIVE EXAMPLES

Next, various examples and various comparative examples of the presenttechnology will be described. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating variousexamples and various comparative examples.

First, the magnetic recording medium 1 according to a first example wasprepared as a reference magnetic recording medium 1, and in the otherexamples and the other comparative examples, various values such as thedegree of vertical orientation were changed with respect to the firstexample.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, in the first example, the degree of verticalorientation of the magnetic layer 13 was set to 65%, and the degree oflongitudinal orientation of the magnetic layer 13 was set to 35%. Inaddition, in the first example, a ratio (refer to FIG. 10) of thedistance D to the recording track width Wd (the interval Ps of the servotrace line T) was set to 21.3%. Note that, the ratio is in arelationship with the azimuth angle α (refer to FIG. 4), and isidentical to a value of tan α indicated in %. Note that, in the firstexample, the azimuth angle α was set to 12°.

In addition, in the first example, the distance D (refer to FIG. 10) wasset to 0.12 μm, and the recording track width Wd (the interval Ps of theservo trace line T) was set to 0.56 μm. In addition, in the firstexample, hexagonal plate-like barium ferrite was used as the magneticpowder contained in the magnetic layer 13.

In addition, in the first example, the half width of the solitarywaveform in the reproduction waveform of the servo signal was 180 nm. Inaddition, in the first example, the magnetic powder contained in themagnetic layer 13 was in the shape of a plate, and an aspect ratio ofthe magnetic powder was set to 2.8. In addition, the particle volume(the average volume Vave) of the magnetic powder was set to 1950 nm³. Inaddition, the thickness of the magnetic layer 13 was set to 80 nm.

Note that, the half width of the solitary waveform, for example, can beobtained as follows. First, for example, a plurality of solitarywaveforms are subjected to averaging (synchronous addition averaging) byusing a digital storage oscilloscope, in a condition of Sampling: 500Ms/s (2 nsec/point) and Number of Samplings: 50000 points. Then, thehalf width of the solitary waveform is calculated from the obtainedsolitary reproduction waveform. Note that, in the synchronous addition,positioning is performed in a peak position of the waveform.

In addition, a tunnel magneto resistive (TMR) head including a TMRelement is used as the servo reading head 32 reading the servo signal. Areproduction track width (the Y′ axis direction: the width direction ofthe magnetic recording medium) of the servo signal in the TMR head isset to 48 nm. Here, spacing between two shields (the X′ axis direction:the transport direction of the magnetic recording medium) the used TMRhead is set to 40 nm, and a bias current in the TMR head is set to beless than 2 mA. In addition, a transport speed of the magnetic recordingmedium 1 is set to 2 m/s.

In a second example, the degree of vertical orientation of the magneticlayer 13 was increased compared to the first example, and was set to66%. In addition, the degree of longitudinal orientation of the magneticlayer 13 was decreased, and was set to 31%. In the second example, thedegree of vertical orientation of the magnetic layer 13 was increased(the degree of longitudinal orientation of the magnetic layer 13 wasdecreased) compared to the first example, and thus, the half width ofthe solitary waveform was narrower than that of the first example, andwas set to 160 nm. Note that, the other points are identical to those ofthe first example.

In a third example, the degree of vertical orientation of the magneticlayer 13 was further compared to the second example, and was set to 70%.In addition, the degree of longitudinal orientation of the magneticlayer 13 was further decreased, and was set to 29%. In the thirdexample, the degree of vertical orientation of the magnetic layer 13 wasfurther increased (the degree of longitudinal orientation of themagnetic layer 13 was further decreased) compared to the second example,and thus, the half width of the solitary waveform was narrower than thatof the second example, and was set to 150 nm. Note that, the otherpoints are identical to those of the first example.

In a fourth example, the degree of vertical orientation of the magneticlayer 13 was further increased compared to the third example, and wasset to 71%. In addition, the degree of longitudinal orientation of themagnetic layer 13 was further decreased, and was set to 25%. In thefourth example, the degree of vertical orientation of the magnetic layer13 was further increased (the degree of longitudinal orientation of themagnetic layer 13 was further decreased) compared to the third example,and thus, the half width of the solitary waveform was narrower than thatof the third example, and was set to 140 nm. Note that, the other pointsare identical to those of the first example.

In a fifth example, the degree of vertical orientation of the magneticlayer 13 was set to 66%, and the degree of longitudinal orientation ofthe magnetic layer 13 was set to 31%. Note that, the degree of verticalorientation and the degree of longitudinal orientation in the fifthexample to the fourteenth example are identical to those of the secondexample.

In addition, in the fifth example, the azimuth angle α (refer to FIG. 4)of the servo signal recording pattern 6 is different from that of thefirst example to the fourth example, and the azimuth angle α is set to24 degrees. In such a relationship, in the fifth example, the distance D(refer to FIG. 10) is different from that of the first example to thefourth example, and is set to 0.17 μm. In addition, in the fifthembodiment, the ratio (refer to FIG. 10) of the distance D to therecording track width Wd (the interval Ps of the servo trace line T) isdifferent from that of the first example to the fourth example, and isset to 44.5%.

In the fifth example, the degree of vertical orientation and the degreeof longitudinal orientation were identical to those of the secondexample, but in a relationship where the azimuth angle α of the servosignal recording pattern 6 was increased, the half width of the solitarywaveform was increased compared to the second example, and was set to180 nm. Note that, the other points are identical to those of the firstexample.

In a sixth example, the degree of vertical orientation of the magneticlayer 13 was set to 66%, and the degree of longitudinal orientation ofthe magnetic layer 13 was set to 31%. In addition, in the sixth example,the azimuth angle α (refer to FIG. 4) of the servo signal recordingpattern 6 is different from that of the first example to the fifthexample, and the azimuth angle α is set to 18 degrees.

In such a relationship, in the sixth example, the ratio (refer to FIG.10) of the distance D to the recording track width Wd (the interval Psof the servo trace line T) is different from that of the first exampleto the fifth example, and is set to 32.5%.

In addition, in the sixth example, the recording track width Wd (theinterval Ps of the servo trace line T) was also different from that ofthe first example to the fifth example, and was set to 0.52 μm. Inaddition, in the sixth example, the distance D (refer to FIG. 10) as setto 0.17 μm. Then, in the sixth example, the half width of the solitarywaveform was 170 μm.

In a seventh example to a tenth example, the recording track width Wd(the interval Ps of the servo trace line T) is changed by using the samemagnetic recording medium 1 as the magnetic recording medium 1 used inthe second example. Specifically, in the seventh example, the recordingtrack width Wd (the interval Ps of the servo trace line T) was set to2.91 μm, and the distance D was set to 0.62 μm.

In addition, in the eighth example, the recording track width Wd (theinterval Ps of the servo trace line T) was set to 1.55 μm, and thedistance D was set to 0.33 μm. In addition, in the ninth example, therecording track width Wd (the interval Ps of the servo trace line T) wasset to 0.56 μm, and the distance D was set to 0.12 μm. In addition, inthe tenth example, the recording track width Wd (the interval Ps of theservo trace line T) was set to 0.38 μm, and the distance D was set to0.08 μm.

Note that, even in a case where the recording track width Wd (theinterval Ps of the servo trace line T) is changed, the half width of thesolitary waveform is not changed insofar as the degree of verticalorientation, the azimuth angle α, and the like are not changed (the halfwidth in the seventh example to the tenth example, is 160 nm, as withthe second example).

In an eleventh example to a fourteenth example, the component of themagnetic powder contained in the magnetic layer 13 is different fromthat of the second example, but the other points are identical to thoseof the second example.

In the eleventh example, hexagonal plate-like strontium ferrite was usedas the magnetic powder. The aspect ratio of the magnetic powder was 3.In the twelfth example, spherical ε ferric oxide particles were used asthe magnetic powder. The aspect ratio of the magnetic powder was 1.1.

In the thirteenth example, spherical gallium ferrite was used as themagnetic powder. The aspect ratio of the magnetic powder was 1. In thefourteenth example, cubical cobalt-containing ferrite was used as themagnetic powder. The aspect ratio of the magnetic powder was 1.7.

In the eleventh example to the fourteenth example (and the secondexample), the components of the magnetic powder contained in themagnetic layer 13 are different from each other, but the degree ofvertical orientation (66%), the azimuth angle (12°), and the like arethe same, and thus, the half width of the solitary waveform is set tothe same value (160 nm).

In a first comparative example and a second comparative example, thedegree of vertical orientation is low (55% and 61%), and the degree oflongitudinal orientation is high (46% and 40%), and thus, the half widthof the solitary waveform is wide, and is set to 220 nm and 200 nm. Inthe first comparative example and the second comparative example, thepeak in the reproduction waveform of the servo signal is not sharp, andthus, it is considered that when the difference between the first periodand the second period is small (the distance D is small), it is notpossible to accurately determine the difference (or the distance D).

In contrast, in the first example to the eighteenth example, the degreeof vertical orientation is high (greater than or equal to 65%), and thedegree of longitudinal orientation is low (less than or equal to 35%),and thus, the half width of the solitary waveform is narrowed (less thanor equal to 195 nm). Accordingly, in the first example to the eighteenthexample, the peak in the reproduction waveform of the servo signal issharp, and thus, even in a case where the difference between the firstperiod and the second period is small (even in a case where the distanceD is small), it is possible to accurately determine the difference (orthe distance D).

On the other hand, in a third comparative example, the degree ofvertical orientation is high (66%), and the degree of longitudinalorientation is low (31%), and thus, the half width of the solitarywaveform is narrow, and is set to 160 nm. However, in the thirdcomparative example, the recording track width Wd (the interval Ps ofthe servo trace line T) is excessively narrow, the value of the distanceD is excessively small, and the difference between the first period andthe second period is excessively small.

For this reason, in the third comparative example, the half width of thesolitary waveform is set to a suitable value, but the difference betweenthe first period and the second period is excessively small (thedistance D is excessively small), and thus, it is not possible todetermine the difference (or the distance D), and the system may bebroken down.

For this reason, typically, the value of the distance D is set to begreater than or equal to 0.08 μm.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating other various examples and othervarious comparative examples.

In a fifteenth example, the degree of vertical orientation of themagnetic layer 13 was further increased compared to the fourth example,and was set to 75%. In addition, the degree of longitudinal orientationof the magnetic layer 13 was further decreased, and was set to 23%. Notethat, the other points are identical to those of the fourth example (thefirst example). In the fifteenth example, the degree of verticalorientation of the magnetic layer 13 was further increased (the degreeof longitudinal orientation of the magnetic layer 13 was furtherdecreased) compared to the fourth example, and thus, the half width ofthe solitary waveform was narrower than that of the fourth example, andwas set to 138 nm.

In a sixteenth example, the degree of vertical orientation of themagnetic layer 13 was further increased compared to the fifteenthexample, and was set to 80%. In addition, the degree of longitudinalorientation of the magnetic layer 13 was further decreased, and was setto 21%. Note that, the other points are identical to those of thenineteenth example (the first example). In a twentieth example, thedegree of vertical orientation of the magnetic layer 13 was furtherincreased (the degree of longitudinal orientation of the magnetic layer13 was further decreased) compared to the fifteenth example, and thus,the half width of the solitary waveform was narrower than that of thefifteenth example, and was set to 130 nm.

In a seventeenth example, the degree of vertical orientation of themagnetic layer 13 was further increased compared to the sixteenthexample, and was set to 85%. In addition, the degree of longitudinalorientation of the magnetic layer 13 was further decreased, and was setto 18%. Note that, the other points are identical to those of thesixteenth example (the first example). In the seventeenth example, thedegree of vertical orientation of the magnetic layer 13 was furtherincreased (the degree of longitudinal orientation of the magnetic layer13 was further decreased) compared to the sixteenth example, and thus,the half width of the solitary waveform was narrower than that of thesixteenth example, and was set to 119 nm.

In an eighteenth example, the particle volume (the average volume Vave)of the magnetic powder was decreased compared to the first example, andwas set to 1600 nm³. Note that, the other points are identical to thoseof the first example. In the eighteenth example, the particle volume wasdecreased compared to the first example, and thus, the half width of thesolitary waveform was narrower than that of the first example, and wasset to 130 nm. Note that, the half width of the solitary waveform isnarrowed in a case where the particle volume of the magnetic powderdecreases since a magnetization transition region is narrowed.

In a nineteenth example, the particle volume (the average volume Vave)of the magnetic powder was further decreased compared to the eighteenthexample, and was set to 1300 nm³. Note that, the other points areidentical to those of the eighteenth example (the first example). In thenineteenth example, the particle volume was further decreased comparedto the eighteenth example, and thus, the half width of the solitarywaveform was narrower than that of the eighteenth example, and was setto 125 nm.

In a twentieth example, as with the fifteenth example, the degree ofvertical orientation of the magnetic layer 13 was set to 75%, and thedegree of longitudinal orientation of the magnetic layer 13 was set to23%. On the other hand, in the twentieth example, the thickness of themagnetic layer 13 was decreased compared to fifteenth example (comparedto the first example), and was set to 60 nm. Note that, the other pointsare identical to those of the fifteenth example (the first example). Inthe twentieth example, the thickness of the magnetic layer 13 wasdecreased compared to the fifteenth example, and thus, the half width ofthe solitary waveform was narrower than that of the fifteenth example,and was set to 120 nm.

In a twenty-first example, the degree of vertical orientation of themagnetic layer 13 was further increased compared to the twentiethexample, and was set to 80%. In addition, the degree of longitudinalorientation of the magnetic layer 13 was further decreased compared tothe twentieth example, and was set to 21%. Further, in the twenty-firstexample, the thickness of the magnetic layer 13 was further decreasedcompared to the twentieth example, and was set to 40 nm. Note that, theother points are identical to those of the twentieth example (the firstexample).

Here, in the twenty-first example, the conditions are identical to thoseof the sixteenth example, except that the thickness of the magneticlayer 13 was decreased to 40 nm from 80 nm. In the twenty-first example,the thickness of the magnetic layer 13 is decreased compared to thesixteenth example, and thus, the half width of the solitary waveform isnarrowed, and is set to 100 nm.

Note that, it is considered that it is possible to make the peak in thereproduction waveform sharp by decreasing the value (less than or equalto 195 nm) of the half width of the solitary waveform in thereproduction waveform of the servo signal, insofar as the thickness ofthe magnetic layer 13 is less than or equal to 90 nm.

In a fourth comparative example, the particle volume of the magneticpowder was increased compared to the first example, and was set to 2500nm³. Note that, the other points are identical to those of the firstexample. In the fourth comparative example, the particle volume of themagnetic powder was increased compared to the first example, and thus,the half width of the solitary waveform was wider than that of the firstexample, and was set to 210 nm. The value (210 nm) of the half widthincreases, and thus, does not fall within a suitable range (less than orequal to 195 nm).

In a fifth comparative example, the particle volume of the magneticpowder was further increased compared to the fourth comparative example,and was set to 2800 nm³. Note that, the other points are identical tothose of the fourth comparative example (the first example). In thefifth comparative example, the particle volume of the magnetic powderwas further increased compared to the fourth comparative example, andthus, the half width of the solitary waveform was wider than that of thefourth comparative example, and was set to 220 nm. The value (220 nm) ofthe half width increases, and thus, does not fall within a suitablerange (less than or equal to 195 nm).

Note that, it is considered that it is possible to make the peak in thereproduction waveform sharp by decreasing the value (less than or equalto 195 nm) of the half width of the solitary waveform in thereproduction waveform of the servo signal, insofar as the particlevolume of the magnetic powder is less than or equal to 2300 nm³.

<Function and Others>

As described above, in the present technology, the degree of verticalorientation of the magnetic layer 13 is set to be greater than or equalto 65%, and the half width of the solitary waveform in the reproductionwaveform of the servo signal is set to be less than or equal to 195 nm(refer to the first example to the twenty-first example). Accordingly,the peak in the reproduction waveform of the servo signal becomes sharp,and even in a case where the difference between the first period and thesecond period is small (even in a case where the distance D is small),it is possible to accurately determine the difference (or the distanceD).

As described above, even in a case where the difference between thefirst period and the second period is small (even in a case where thedistance D is small), it is possible to accurately determine thedifference (or the distance D), and thus, it is possible to decrease theinterval Ps of the servo trace line T, and to decrease the recordingtrack width Wd. Accordingly, it is possible to increase the number ofrecording tracks 5 included in one data band d, and thus, it is possibleto further improve the recording density of the data.

Here, the peak in the reproduction waveform of the servo signal becomessharp as the half width of the solitary waveform becomes narrow, and thereading accuracy of the servo signal is improved. Accordingly, the halfwidth of the solitary waveform may be set to be less than or equal to180 nm (refer to the first example to the twenty-first example), may beset to be less than or equal to 160 nm (refer to the second example tothe fourth example, and the seventh example to the twenty-firstexample), may be set to be less than or equal to 140 nm (refer to thefourth example, the fifteenth example to the twenty-first example), ormay be set to be less than or equal to 120 nm (refer to the seventeenthexample, the twentieth example, and the twenty-first example).

In addition, the half width of the solitary waveform becomes narrow asthe degree of vertical orientation of the magnetic layer 13 increases.Accordingly, the degree of vertical orientation may be set to be greaterthan or equal to 70% (refer to the third example and the fourth example,the fifteenth example to the seventeenth example, and the twentiethexample and the twenty-first example), may be set to be greater than orequal to 75% (refer to the fifteenth example to the seventeenth example,and the twentieth example and the twenty-first example), or may be setto be greater than or equal to 80% (refer to the sixteenth example andthe seventeenth example, and the twenty-first example).

In addition, in the present technology, the distance D (the distancebetween P1 and P2 in the length direction) is set to be greater than orequal to 0.08 μm (refer to the first example to the twenty-firstexample: in particular, refer to the tenth example). Accordingly, it ispossible to prevent the system from being broken down.

Note that, it is advantageous that the present technology is applied toa case where the distance D is small, and the distance D is set to beless than or equal to 0.62 μm (refer to the first example to thetwenty-first example: in particular, refer to the seventh example).

In addition, the degree of longitudinal orientation of the magneticlayer 13 is set to be less than or equal to 35% (refer to the firstexample to the twenty-first example: in particular, refer to the firstexample), and thus, even in a case where the difference between thefirst period and the second period is small (even in a case where thedistance D is small), it is possible to more accurately determine thedifference (or the distance D).

In addition, the coercive force in the longitudinal direction of themagnetic recording medium 1 is set to be less than or equal to 2000 Oe,and thus, even in a case where the difference between the first periodand the second period is small (even in a case where the distance D issmall), it is possible to more accurately determine the difference (orthe distance D).

In addition, the ratio of the area of the servo band s to the area ofthe entire surface of the magnetic layer 13 is set to be less than orequal to 4.0%, and thus, the area of the data band d increases, and therecording capacity of the data can be improved. In addition, the widthof the servo band s is set to be less than or equal to 95 μm, and thus,the width of the data band d increases, and the recording capacity ofthe data can be improved.

In addition, the recording track width Wd is set to be less than orequal to 2.0 μm, and thus, it is possible to increase the number ofrecording tracks 5 included in one data band d, and therefore, it ispossible to further improve the recording density of the data.

In addition, the one-bit length in the longitudinal direction of thedata signal recorded in the data band d is set to be less than or equalto 48 nm, and thus, it is possible to further improve the recordingdensity of the data.

In addition, the thickness of the magnetic layer 13 is set to be lessthan or equal to 90 nm, and thus, it is possible to improve theelectromagnetic conversion characteristics. In addition, the thicknessof the magnetic layer 13 is set to be less than or equal to 90 nm, andthus, it is possible to make the peak in the reproduction waveform ofthe servo signal sharp by decreasing the half width of the solitarywaveform in the reproduction waveform of the servo signal (less than orequal to 195 nm) (refer to the first example to the twenty-firstexample). Accordingly, the reading accuracy of the servo signal isimproved, and thus, it is possible to improve the recording density ofthe data by increasing the number of recording tracks.

In addition, the particle volume (the average volume Vave) of themagnetic powder is set to be less than or equal to 2300 nm³, and thus,it is possible to make the peak in the reproduction waveform of theservo signal by decreasing the half width of the solitary waveform inthe reproduction waveform of the servo signal (less than or equal to 195nm) (refer to the first example to the twenty-first example).Accordingly, the reading accuracy of the servo signal is improved, andthus, it is possible to improve the recording density of the data byincreasing the number of recording tracks.

<Manufacturing Method of Magnetic Recording Medium>

Next, a manufacturing method of the magnetic recording medium 1 will bedescribed. First, the non-magnetic powder, the binder, the lubricant,and the like are kneaded and dispersed in a solvent, and thus, anon-coating material for forming a magnetic layer is prepared. Next, themagnetic powder, the binder, the lubricant, and the like are kneaded anddispersed in a solvent, and thus, the coating material for forming amagnetic layer is prepared. Next, the binder, the non-magnetic powder,and the like are kneaded and dispersed in a solvent, and thus, a coatingmaterial for forming a back layer is prepared. The coating material forforming a magnetic layer, the non-coating material for forming amagnetic layer, and the coating material for forming a back layer can beprepared, for example, by using the following solvents, dispersiondevices, and kneading devices.

Examples of a solvent that is used for preparing the coating materialdescribed above include a ketone-based solvent such as acetone, methylethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, and cyclohexanone, analcohol-based solvent such as methanol, ethanol, and propanol, anester-based solvent such as methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, butylacetate, propyl acetate, ethyl lactate, and ethylene glycol acetate, anether-based solvent such as diethylene glycol dimethyl ether, 2-ethoxyethanol, tetrahydrofuran, and dioxane, an aromatic hydrocarbon-basedsolvent such as benzene, toluene, and xylene, a halogenatedhydrocarbon-based solvent such as methylene chloride, ethylene chloride,carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, and chlorobenzene, and the like. Suchsolvents may be independently used, or may be used by being suitablymixed.

For example, a kneading device such as a continuous biaxial kneadingmachine, a continuous biaxial kneading machine in which dilution can beperformed in multiple stages, a kneader, pressure kneader, and a rollkneader can be used as a kneading device that is used for preparing thecoating material described above, but the kneading device is notparticularly limited thereto. In addition, for example, a dispersiondevice such as a roll mill, a ball mill, a horizontal sand mill, avertical sand mill, a spike mill, a pin mill, a tower mill, a pearl mill(for example, “DCP mill” manufactured by Eirich GmbH & Co KG, and thelike), a homogenizer, and an ultrasonic disperser can be used as adispersion device that is used for preparing the coating materialdescribed above, but the dispersion device is not particularly limitedthereto.

Next, the non-coating material for forming a magnetic layer is appliedonto one main surface of the base material 11 and is dried, and thus,the non-magnetic layer 12 is formed. Subsequently, the coating materialfor forming a magnetic layer is applied onto the non-magnetic layer 12and is dried, and thus, the magnetic layer 13 is formed on thenon-magnetic layer 12. Note that, when the drying is performed, forexample, it is desirable that the magnetic powder is subjected tomagnetic field orientation in the thickness direction of the basematerial 11 by a solenoid coil. In addition, when the drying isperformed, for example, the magnetic powder may be subjected to themagnetic field orientation in the traveling direction of the basematerial 11 (the longitudinal direction), and then, may be subjected tothe magnetic field orientation in the thickness direction of the basematerial 11, by the solenoid coil. The magnetic layer 13 is formed, andthen, the coating material for forming a back layer is applied onto theother main surface of the base material 11 and is dried, and thus, theback layer 14 is formed. Accordingly, the magnetic recording medium 1 isobtained.

After that, the obtained magnetic recording medium 1 is subjected to acalender treatment, and the surface of the magnetic layer 13 issmoothed. Next, the magnetic recording medium 1 subjected to thecalender treatment is wound into the shape of a roll, and then, in sucha state, the magnetic recording medium 1 is subjected to a heatingtreatment, and thus, a plurality of protrusions 14A on the surface ofthe back layer 14 are transferred onto the surface of the magnetic layer13. Accordingly, a plurality of hole portions 13A are formed on thesurface of the magnetic layer 13.

It is desirable that the temperature of the heating treatment is higherthan or equal to 55° C. and lower than or equal to 75° C. In a casewhere the temperature of the heating treatment is higher than or equalto 55° C., it is possible to obtain excellent transfer properties. Onthe other hand, in a case where the temperature of the heating treatmentis higher than or equal to 75° C., a fine pore amount excessivelyincreases, and thus, the lubricant on the surface excessively increases.Here, the temperature of the heating treatment is a temperature in anatmosphere in which the magnetic recording medium 1 is retained.

It is desirable that a time for the heating treatment is longer than orequal to 15 hours and shorter than or equal to 40 hours. In a case wherethe time for the heating treatment is longer than or equal to 15 hours,it is possible to obtain excellent transfer properties. On the otherhand, in a case where the time for the heating treatment is shorter thanor equal to 40 hours, it is possible to suppress a decrease inproductivity.

Finally, the magnetic recording medium 1 is cut to have a predeterminedwidth (for example, a width of ½ inches). As described above, the targetmagnetic recording medium 1 is obtained.

[Preparation Step of Coating Material for Forming Magnetic Layer]

Next, an adjustment step of the coating material for forming a magneticlayer will be described. First, a first composition of the followingcompounds was kneaded with an extruder. Next, the kneaded firstcomposition, and a second composition of the following compounds wereput into a stirring tank provided with a disperser, and werepreliminarily mixed. Subsequently, sand mill mixing was furtherperformed, and a filter treatment was performed, and thus, the coatingmaterial for forming a magnetic layer was prepared.

(First Composition)

Powder of Barium Ferrite (BaFe₁₂O₁₉) Particles (in the shape of ahexagonal plate, an aspect ratio of 2.8, and a particle volume of 1950nm³): 100 parts by mass

Vinyl Chloride-Based Resin (30 mass % of a cyclohexanone solution): 10parts by mass (a polymerization degree of 300, Mn=10000, having 0.07mmol/g of OSO₃K and 0.3 mmol/g of secondary OH as a polar group)

Aluminum Oxide Powder: 5 parts by mass (α-Al₂O₃, an average particlediameter of 0.2 μm)

Carbon Black: 2 parts by mass (manufactured by Tokai Carbon Co., Ltd.,Product Name: SEAST TA)

(Second Composition)

Vinyl Chloride-Based Resin: 1.1 parts by mass (Resin Solution: 30 mass %of a resin, and 70 mass % of cyclohexanone)

n-Butyl Stearate: 2 parts by mass

Methyl Ethyl Ketone: 121.3 parts by mass

Toluene: 121.3 parts by mass

Cyclohexanone: 60.7 parts by mass

Finally, 4 parts by mass of polyisocyanate (Product Name: CORONATE L,manufactured by Nippon Polyurethane Industry Co., Ltd.) and 2 parts bymass of a myristic acid were added to the coating material for forming amagnetic layer prepared as described above, as a curing agent.

[Preparation Step of Non-Coating Material for Forming Magnetic Layer]

Next, an adjustment step of the non-coating material for forming amagnetic layer will be described. First, a third composition of thefollowing compounds was kneaded with an extruder.

Next, the kneaded third composition, and a fourth composition of thefollowing compounds were put into a stirring tank provided with adisperser, and were preliminarily mixed. Subsequently, sand mill mixingwas further performed, and a filter treatment was performed, and thus,the non-coating material for forming a magnetic layer was prepared.

(Third Composition)

Needle-Like Ferric Oxide Powder: 100 parts by mass (α-Fe₂O₃, an averagelong axis length of 0.15 μm)

Vinyl Chloride-Based Resin: 55.6 parts by mass (Resin Solution: 30 mass% of a resin, and a 70 mass % of cyclohexanone)

Carbon Black: 10 parts by mass (an average particle diameter of 20 nm)

(Fourth Composition)

Polyurethane-Based Resin UR8200 (manufactured by TOYOBO CO., LTD.): 18.5parts by mass

n-Butyl Stearate: 2 parts by mass

Methyl Ethyl Ketone: 108.2 parts by mass

Toluene: 108.2 parts by mass

Cyclohexanone: 18.5 parts by mass

Finally, 4 parts by mass of polyisocyanate (Product Name: CORONATE L,manufactured by Nippon Polyurethane Industry Co., Ltd.) and 2 parts bymass of a myristic acid were added to the non-coating material forforming a magnetic layer prepared as described above, as a curing agent.

[Preparation Step of Coating Material for Forming Back Layer]

Next, an adjustment step of the coating material for forming a backlayer will be described. The following raw materials were mixed with astirring tank provided with a disperser, and were subjected to a filtertreatment, and thus, the coating material for forming a back layer wasprepared.

Powder of Carbon Black Particles (an average particle diameter of 20nm): 90 parts by mass

Powder of Carbon Black Particles (an average particle diameter of 270nm): 10 parts by mass

Polyester Polyurethane: 100 parts by mass (manufactured by NipponPolyurethane Industry Co., Ltd., Product Name: N-2304)

Methyl Ethyl Ketone: 500 parts by mass

Toluene: 400 parts by mass

Cyclohexanone: 100 parts by mass

Note that, a type and a compounding amount of the inorganic particlesmay be changed as follows.

Powder of Carbon Black Particles (an average particle diameter of 20nm): 80 parts by mass

Powder of Carbon Black Particles (an average particle diameter of 270nm): 20 parts by mass

In addition, a type and a compounding amount of the inorganic particlesmay be changed as follows.

Powder of Carbon Black Particles (average particle diameter 270 nm): 100parts by mass

[Coating Step]

The non-magnetic layer having an average thickness of 1.0 μm to 1.1 μm,and the magnetic layer having an average thickness 40 nm to 100 nm wereformed on one main surface of an elongated polyethylene naphthalate film(hereinafter, referred to as a “PEN film”) (for example, an averagethickness of 4.0 μm) that is a non-magnetic support body, as follows byusing the coating material for forming a magnetic layer and thenon-coating material for forming a magnetic layer prepared as describedabove. First, the non-coating material for forming a magnetic layer wasapplied onto one main surface of the PEN film and was dried, and thus,the non-magnetic layer was formed. Next, the coating material forforming a magnetic layer was applied onto the non-magnetic layer and wasdried, and thus, the magnetic layer was formed. Note that, when thecoating material for forming a magnetic layer is dried, the magneticpowder was subjected to magnetic field orientation in the thicknessdirection of the film by a solenoid coil. Note that, the intensity of amagnetic field from the solenoid coil was adjusted (2 times to 3 times aretaining force of the magnetic powder), a solid content of the coatingmaterial for forming a magnetic layer was adjusted, a drying conditionof the coating material for forming a magnetic layer (a dryingtemperature and a drying time) was adjusted, and a condition fororienting the magnetic powder in the magnetic field was adjusted, andthus, the orientation angle in the thickness direction of the magneticrecording medium (the vertical direction) and the orientation angle inthe longitudinal direction were set to a predetermined value.Subsequently, the coating material for forming a back layer was appliedonto the other main surface of the PEN film and was dried, and thus, thenon-magnetic layer was formed. Accordingly, the magnetic recordingmedium was obtained. Note that, in order to increase the orientationangle, it is necessary to make a dispersion state of the coatingmaterial for forming a magnetic layer excellent. Further, in order toincrease the degree of vertical orientation, a method is also effectivein which the magnetic powder is magnetized in advance before themagnetic recording medium is put into an orientation device.

[Calender Step and Transfer Step]

Subsequently, a calender treatment was performed, and thus, the surfaceof the magnetic layer was smoothed. Next, the obtained magneticrecording medium was wound into the shape of a roll, and then, in such astate, the magnetic recording medium was subjected to a heatingtreatment twice at 60° C. for 10 hours. Accordingly, the plurality ofprotrusions on the surface of the back layer were transferred onto thesurface of the magnetic layer, and thus, the plurality of hole portionswere formed on the surface of the magnetic layer.

[Cutting Step]

The magnetic recording medium obtained as described above was cut tohave a width of ½ inches (12.65 mm). Accordingly, a target elongatedmagnetic recording medium was obtained.

<Details of Non-Magnetic Layer>

Subsequently, the details of non-magnetic layer 12 will be described.

In general, in order to increase the storage capacity per one tapecartridge, it is sufficient to increase the entire length of a magnetictape. On the other hand, it is necessary to increase the entire lengthof the magnetic tape and to decrease the total thickness of the magnetictape, from a restriction in a cartridge external size. In the thicknessof the entire magnetic tape, a base film (the base material) and thenon-magnetic layer occupy the majority, and thus, the thinning of thebase film and the non-magnetic layer is effective. The thinning of thebase film is problematic in the handling of a manufacturing process, andthus, it is practical to perform the thinning of the non-magnetic layer.As the current situation, it is possible to simply decrease a coatingthickness of the non-magnetic layer, but there is a case where tapesurface properties are degraded due to the thinning of the non-magneticlayer, from a relationship between a particle size of the non-magneticparticles contained in the non-magnetic layer and the coating thickness.In order to solve such a problem, it is necessary to set the particlesize (the volume) of the non-magnetic particles to be less than or equalto a certain value.

Here, the tape surface properties indicate arithmetic average roughnessRa of the surface of the magnetic tape (the magnetic recording medium)on the magnetic layer side that is measured by atomic force-microscopy(AFM). In a case where the arithmetic average roughness Ra is greaterthan an allowable value of the tape surface, a distance between themagnetic tape and the recording and reproducing head element increases,and thus, signal quality in the record and the reproduction of ahigh-density signal decreases. Such a problem becomes significant as thethickness of the magnetic layer decreases.

According to a test of the present inventors, in a case where thethickness of the magnetic layer is less than or equal to 90 nm, theallowable value described above is approximately 2.0 nm. Therefore, inthis embodiment, the average particle volume of the non-magnetic powderconfiguring the non-magnetic layer 12 is set to be less than or equal toa certain value such that the arithmetic average roughness Ra of thetape surface is less than or equal to 2.0 nm, and thus, the tape surfaceproperties is controlled.

It is desirable the average particle volume of the configuring thenon-magnetic powder non-magnetic layer 12 is less than or equal to2.0×10⁻⁵ μm³, and it is more desirable that the average particle volumeis less than or equal to 1.0×10⁻⁵ μm³. The average particle volume ofthe non-magnetic powder configuring the non-magnetic layer 12 is set tobe less than or equal to 2.0×10⁻⁵ μm³, and thus, even in a case wherethe thickness of the non-magnetic layer 12 is less than or equal to 1.1μm, it is possible to suppress the arithmetic average roughness Ra ofthe surface of the magnetic layer 13 having a thickness of less than orequal to 90 nm to be less than or equal to 2.0 nm. Further, the averageparticle volume of the non-magnetic powder configuring the non-magneticlayer 12 is set to be less than or equal to 1.0×10⁻⁵ μm³, and thus, itis possible to further decrease the arithmetic average roughness Ra ofthe surface of the magnetic layer having a thickness of less than orequal to 90 nm, or even in a case where the thickness of thenon-magnetic layer 12 is greater than or equal to 0.6 μm and less thanor equal to 0.8 μm, it is possible to suppress the arithmetic averageroughness Ra of the surface of the magnetic layer 13 having a thicknessof less than or equal to 90 nm to be less than or equal to 2.0 nm.

Here, the arithmetic average roughness Ra is obtained as follows.

First, the surface of the magnetic layer is observed with AFM, and anAFM image of 40 μm×40 μm is obtained. Nano Scope IIIa D3100 manufacturedby DIGITAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION is used as the AFM, and a siliconsingle crystal cantilever is used as a cantilever.

Next, the AFM image is divided into 256×256 (=65536) measurement points,a height Z(i) (i: a measurement point number, i=1 to 65536) is measuredat each of the measurement points, and the heights Z(i) each of themeasured measurement points are simply averaged (arithmeticallyaveraged), and thus, an average height (average surface) Zave(=(Z(1)+Z(2)+ . . . +Z(65536))/65536) is obtained. Subsequently, adeviation Z″(i) from an average center line (=Z(i)−Zave) is obtained ateach of the measurement points, and thus, arithmetic average roughnessRa [nm] (=(Z″(1)+Z″(2)+ . . . +Z″(65536))/65536) is calculated.

The average particle volume of the non-magnetic powder is obtained asfollows. Hereinafter, a calculation method of an average particle volumeof Fe-based non-magnetic particles will be described, as thenon-magnetic powder.

First, slicing is performed in accordance with an FIB method (aμ-sampling method) as a sample pretreatment. The slicing is performedalong the length direction of the magnetic tape (the longitudinaldirection). A sectional surface of a thin piece sample that is obtainedis observed by using a transmission electron microscope (H-9500manufactured by Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation) such that therange of the recording layer from the base material is included at anacceleration voltage of 300 kV and the total magnification of 250,000times. In a TEM image of the sectional surface that is obtained, 50Fe-based non-magnetic particles are specified with respect to theparticles contained in the non-magnetic layer 12 by using micro-electrondiffraction method. The electron diffraction is performed by using atransmission electron microscope (JEM-ARM200F manufactured by JEOLLtd.), in a condition of an acceleration voltage of 200 kV, a cameralength of 0.8 m, and a beam diameter of approximately 1 nmΦ.

Subsequently, the average particle volume is obtained by using 50Fe-based non-magnetic particles that are extracted as described above.First, the long axis length DL and the short axis length DS of each ofthe particles are measured. Here, the long axis length DL indicates thelines maximum distance between two parallel lines drawn from all anglesto be in contact with the outline of the particles (a so-called maximumFeret diameter). On the other hand, the short axis length DS indicatesthe maximum length of the magnetic powder in a direction orthogonal to along axis of the magnetic powder. Subsequently, the long axis lengths DLof 50 particles that are measured are simply averaged (arithmeticallyaveraged), and thus, the average long axis length DLave is obtained.Then, the average long axis length DLave that is obtained as describedabove is set to the average particle size of the non-magnetic powder. Inaddition, the short axis lengths DS of 50 particles that are measuredare simply averaged (arithmetically averaged), and thus, the averageshort axis length DSave is obtained. Next, the average volume Vave (theparticle volume) of the particles is obtained by the followingexpression, from the average long axis length DLave and the averageshort axis length DSave.Vave=π/6×DSave² ×DLave

FIG. 13 illustrates an example of the particle size of the non-magneticpowder (the Fe-based non-magnetic particles) having an average particlevolume of less than or equal to 2.0×10⁻⁵ μm³. The particles are in theshape of a needle or a spindle, and a long axis length and a short axislength respectively correspond to the average long axis length and theaverage short axis length. It is possible to obtain the non-magneticpowder having an average particle volume of less than or equal to2.0×10⁻⁵ μm³ in a range where a long axis length is greater than orequal to 12 nm and less than or equal to 110 nm, a short axis length isgreater than or equal to 6 nm and less than or equal to 20 nm, and anaspect ratio is greater than or equal to 1.8 and less than or equal to6.1.

Next, the present inventors have prepared samples of a plurality oftypes of magnetic tapes (corresponding to the magnetic recording medium1 of FIG. 1) including the non-magnetic layer that contains thenon-magnetic powder illustrated in FIG. 13, and have measured thearithmetic average roughness Ra of the surface of each of the magneticlayers. The results are shown in FIG. 14.

(Sample 1)

The non-magnetic layer 12 having a thickness of 1.1 μm and the magneticlayer 13 having a thickness of 80 nm were formed on one main surface ofthe base material 11 having a thickness of 4 μm, and the back layer 14having a thickness of 0.4 μm was formed on the other main surface of thebase material 11, and thus, the magnetic recording medium 1 having thetotal thickness of 5.58 μm was prepared. Fe-based non-magnetic particleshaving an average particle volume of 1.9×10⁻⁵ μm³ (corresponding to anon-magnetic powder No. 1 shown in FIG. 13) were used as thenon-magnetic powder contained in the non-magnetic layer 12. Thearithmetic average roughness Ra of the surface of the magnetic layer 13of the prepared magnetic recording medium 1 was measured by the methoddescribed above, and thus, was 1.90 nm.

(Sample 2)

The non-magnetic layer 12 having a thickness of 0.6 μm and the magneticlayer 13 having a thickness of 60 nm were formed on one main surface ofthe base material 11 having a thickness of 3.6 μm, and the back layer 14having a thickness of 0.4 μm was formed on the other main surface of thebase material 11, and thus, the magnetic recording medium 1 having thetotal thickness of 4.66 μm was prepared. Fe-based non-magnetic particleshaving an average particle volume of 6.5×10⁻⁶ μm³ (corresponding to anon-magnetic powder No. 2 shown in FIG. 13) were used as thenon-magnetic powder contained in the non-magnetic layer 12. Thearithmetic average roughness Ra of the surface of the magnetic layer 13of the prepared magnetic recording medium 1 was measured by the methoddescribed above, and thus, was 1.82 nm.

(Sample 3)

The non-magnetic layer 12 having a thickness of 1.1 μm and the magneticlayer 13 having a thickness of 70 nm were formed on one main surface ofthe base material 11 having a thickness of 4 μm, and the back layer 14having a thickness of 0.4 μm was formed on the other main surface of thebase material 11, and thus, the magnetic recording medium 1 having thetotal thickness of 5.57 μm was prepared. Fe-based non-magnetic particleshaving an average particle volume of 8.0×10⁻⁶ μm³ (corresponding to anon-magnetic powder No. 3 shown in FIG. 13) were used as thenon-magnetic powder contained in the non-magnetic layer 12. Thearithmetic average roughness Ra of the surface of the magnetic layer 13of the prepared magnetic recording medium 1 was measured by the methoddescribed above, and thus, was 1.70 nm.

(Sample 4)

The non-magnetic layer 12 having a thickness of 0.6 μm and the magneticlayer 13 having a thickness of 70 nm were formed on one main surface ofthe base material 11 having a thickness of 4 μm, and the back layer 14having a thickness of 0.4 μm was formed on the other main surface of thebase material 11, and thus, the magnetic recording medium 1 having thetotal thickness of 5.07 μm was prepared. Fe-based non-magnetic particleshaving an average particle volume of 2.1×10⁻⁶ μm³ (corresponding to anon-magnetic powder No. 4 shown in FIG. 13) were used as thenon-magnetic powder contained in the non-magnetic layer 12. Thearithmetic average roughness Ra of the surface of the magnetic layer 13of the prepared magnetic recording medium 1 was measured by the methoddescribed above, and thus, was 1.62 nm.

(Sample 5)

The non-magnetic layer 12 having a thickness of 1.1 μm and the magneticlayer 13 having a thickness of 70 nm were formed on one main surface ofthe base material 11 having a thickness of 3.6 μm, and the back layer 14having a thickness of 0.4 μm was formed on the other main surface of thebase material 11, and thus, the magnetic recording medium 1 having thetotal thickness of 5.17 μm was prepared. Fe-based non-magnetic particleshaving an average particle volume of 1.3×10⁻⁶ m³ (corresponding to anon-magnetic powder No. 5 shown in FIG. 13) were used as thenon-magnetic powder contained in the non-magnetic layer 12. Thearithmetic average roughness Ra of the surface of the magnetic layer 13of the prepared magnetic recording medium 1 was measured by the methoddescribed above, and thus, was 1.60 nm.

(Sample 6)

The non-magnetic layer 12 having a thickness of 0.6 μm and the magneticlayer 13 having a thickness of 70 nm were formed on one main surface ofthe base material 11 having a thickness of 4 μm, and the back layer 14having a thickness of 0.4 μm was formed on the other main surface of thebase material 11, and thus, the magnetic recording medium 1 having thetotal thickness of 5.07 μm was prepared. Fe-based non-magnetic particleshaving an average particle volume of 8.0×10⁻⁶ μm³ (corresponding to anon-magnetic powder No. 3 shown in FIG. 13) were used as thenon-magnetic powder contained in the non-magnetic layer 12. Thearithmetic average roughness Ra of the surface of the magnetic layer 13of the prepared magnetic recording medium 1 was measured by the methoddescribed above, and thus, was 1.79 nm.

(Sample 7)

The non-magnetic layer 12 having a thickness of 0.6 μm and the magneticlayer 13 having a thickness of 70 nm were formed on one main surface ofthe base material 11 having a thickness of 3.6 μm, and the back layer 14having a thickness of 0.4 μm was formed on the other main surface of thebase material 11, and thus, the magnetic recording medium 1 having thetotal thickness of 4.67 μm was prepared. Fe-based non-magnetic particleshaving an average particle volume of 2.1×10⁻⁶ μm³ (corresponding to anon-magnetic powder No. 4 shown in FIG. 13) were used as thenon-magnetic powder contained in the non-magnetic layer 12. Thearithmetic average roughness Ra of the surface of the magnetic layer 13of the prepared magnetic recording medium 1 was measured by the methoddescribed above, and thus, was 1.65 nm.

(Sample 8)

The non-magnetic layer 12 having a thickness of 0.8 μm and the magneticlayer 13 having a thickness of 70 nm were formed on one main surface ofthe base material 11 having a thickness of 3.8 μm, and the back layer 14having a thickness of 0.4 μm was formed on the other main surface of thebase material 11, and thus, the magnetic recording medium 1 having a thetotal thickness of 5.07 μm was prepared. Fe-based non-magnetic particleshaving an average particle volume of 1.3×10⁻⁶ μm³ (corresponding to anon-magnetic powder No. 5 shown in FIG. 13) were used as thenon-magnetic powder contained in the non-magnetic layer 12. Thearithmetic average roughness Ra of the surface of the magnetic layer 13of the prepared magnetic recording medium 1 was measured by the methoddescribed above, and thus, was 1.68 nm.

In Samples 1 to 8, the thickness of the non-magnetic layer and theaverage particle volume of the Fe-based non-magnetic particles arechanged. From an evaluation result of Samples 1 to 8, even in a casewhere the thickness of the non-magnetic layer is less than or equal to1.1 μm, it is possible to suppress the arithmetic average roughness Raof the surface of the magnetic layer to be less than or equal to 2.0 nmby using the Fe-based non-magnetic particles having an average particlevolume of less than or equal to 2.0×10⁻⁵ μm³. In addition, even in acase where the thickness of the non-magnetic layer is 0.6 μm, it ispossible to suppress the arithmetic average roughness Ra of the surfaceof the magnetic layer to be less than or equal to 2.0 nm by using theFe-based non-magnetic particles having an average particle volume ofless than or equal to 1.0×10⁻⁵ μm³.

In Sample 2, the thickness of the base material and the non-magneticlayer decreases, and the volume of the Fe-based non-magnetic particlesis reduced to be less than or equal to a half, compared to Sample 1. Thevolume of the Fe-based non-magnetic particles is reduced, and thus, thearithmetic average roughness Ra of the surface of the magnetic layerthat is less than or equal to that of Sample 1 can be realized.

In Sample 3, a thickness configuration is identical to that of Sample 1,except that the thickness of the magnetic layer decreases. In addition,the volume of the Fe-based non-magnetic particles is reduced, and thus,the arithmetic average roughness Ra of less than or equal to that ofSample 1 is realized.

In Sample 4, the thickness of the non-magnetic layer decreases, but thevolume of the Fe-based non-magnetic particles is reduced, and thus, thearithmetic average roughness Ra of less than or equal to that of Sample1 is also realized.

In Sample 5, the thickness of the non-magnetic layer is identical tothat of Sample 1, but the thickness of the base material decreases, andthus, the total thickness of the tape decreases. Finer particles areused as the Fe-based non-magnetic particles, and thus, it is possible toreduce the arithmetic average roughness Ra of the surface of themagnetic layer.

In Sample 6, the thickness of the non-magnetic layer in Sample 3decreases. According to such thinning, the arithmetic average roughnessRa of the surface of the magnetic layer is slightly degraded, butexcellent arithmetic average roughness Ra is realized compared to Sample1.

VARIOUS MODIFICATION EXAMPLES

The present technology can also be configured as follows.

(1) A magnetic recording medium in a shape of a tape that is long in alongitudinal direction and is short in a width direction, the mediumincluding:

a base material;

a magnetic layer; and

a non-magnetic layer that is provided between the base material and themagnetic layer, and contains one or more types of non-magnetic inorganicparticles, in which

the magnetic layer includes a data band long in the longitudinaldirection in which a data signal is to be written, and a servo band longin the longitudinal direction in which a servo signal is written, and inthe magnetic layer, a degree of vertical orientation is greater than orequal to 65%, a half width of a solitary waveform in a reproductionwaveform of the servo signal is less than or equal to 195 nm, and athickness of the magnetic layer is less than or equal to 90 nm, and

the non-magnetic layer contains at least Fe-based non-magnetic particlesas the non-magnetic inorganic particles, and in the non-magnetic layer,an average particle volume of the Fe-based non-magnetic particles isless than or equal to 2.0×10⁻⁵ μm³, and a thickness of the non-magneticlayer is less than or equal to 1.1 μm.

(2) The magnetic recording medium according to (1) described above, inwhich

the average particle volume of the Fe-based non-magnetic particles isless than or equal to 1.0×10⁻⁵ μm³.

(3) The magnetic recording medium according to (1) or (2) describedabove, in which the half width of the solitary waveform is less than orequal to 180 nm.

(4) The magnetic recording medium according to (3) described above, inwhich the half width of the solitary waveform is less than or equal to160 nm.

(5) The magnetic recording medium according to (4) described above, inwhich the half width of the solitary waveform is less than or equal to140 nm.

(6) The magnetic recording medium according to (5) described above, inwhich the half width of the solitary waveform is less than or equal to120 nm.

(7) The magnetic recording medium according to any one of (1) to (6)described above, in which

the degree of vertical orientation is greater than or equal to 70%.

(8) The magnetic recording medium according to (7) described above, inwhich the degree of vertical orientation is greater than or equal to75%.

(9) The magnetic recording medium according to (8) described above, inwhich the degree of vertical orientation is greater than or equal to80%.

(10) The magnetic recording medium according to any one of (1) to (9)described above, in which

the data band includes a plurality of recording tracks that are long inthe longitudinal direction, are arrayed in the width direction, and havea predetermined recording track width for each track in the widthdirection,

a servo signal recording pattern includes a plurality of stripes thatare inclined at a predetermined azimuth angle with respect to the widthdirection, and

when an arbitrary point on an arbitrary stripe in the plurality ofstripes is set to P1, and a point on the arbitrary stripe in a positionseparated from P1 by the recording track width in the width direction isset to P2, a distance between P1 and P2 in the length direction isgreater than or equal to 0.08 μm.

(11) The magnetic recording medium according to (10) described above, inwhich

the distance between P1 and P2 in the length direction is less than orequal to 0.62 μm.

(12) The magnetic recording medium according to any one of (1) to (11)described above, in which in the magnetic layer, a degree oflongitudinal orientation is less than or equal to 35%.

(13) The magnetic recording medium according to any one of (1) to (12)described above, in which

in the magnetic recording medium, a coercive force in the longitudinaldirection is less than or equal to 2000 Oe.

(14) The magnetic recording medium according to any one of (1) to (13)described above, in which

a ratio of an area of the servo band to an area of an entire surface ofthe magnetic layer is less than or equal to 4.0%.

(15) The magnetic recording medium according to any one of (1) to (14)described above, in which

the magnetic layer contains a magnetic powder, and

a particle volume of the magnetic powder is less than or equal to 2300nm³.

(16) The magnetic recording medium according to any one of (1) to (15)described above, in which

the number of data bands is 4n (n is an integer of greater than or equalto 2), and the number of servo bands is 4n+1.

(17) The magnetic recording medium according to any one of (1) to (16)described above, in which

a width of the servo band is less than or equal to 95 μm.

(18) The magnetic recording medium according to any one of (1) to (17)described above, in which

the data band includes a plurality of recording tracks that are long inthe longitudinal direction, are arrayed in the width direction, and havea predetermined recording track width for each track in the widthdirection, and

the recording track width is less than or equal to 2.0 μm.

(19) The magnetic recording medium according to any one of (1) to (18)described above, in which

a one-bit length in the longitudinal direction of the data signal thatis recorded in the data band is less than or equal to 48 nm.

(20) The magnetic recording medium according to any one of (1) to (19)described above, in which

the magnetic layer contains a magnetic powder of hexagonal ferrite, εferric oxide, or cobalt-containing ferrite.

(21) The magnetic recording medium according to any one of (1) to (20)described above, in which

a thickness of the base material is less than or equal to 4.2 μm.

(22) The magnetic recording medium according to any one of (1) to (21)described above, in which

the Fe-based non-magnetic inorganic particles are hematite (α-Fe₂O₃).

(23) A cartridge including:

a magnetic recording medium in a shape of a tape that is long in alongitudinal direction and is short in a width direction, the magneticrecording medium including a base material, a magnetic layer, and anon-magnetic layer that is provided between the base material and themagnetic layer, and contains one or more types of non-magnetic inorganicparticles, in which

the magnetic layer includes a data band long in the longitudinaldirection in which a data signal is to be written, and a servo band longin the longitudinal direction in which a servo signal is written, and inthe magnetic layer, a degree of vertical orientation is greater than orequal to 65%, a half width of a solitary waveform in a reproductionwaveform of the servo signal is less than or equal to 195 nm, and athickness of the magnetic layer is less than or equal to 90 nm, and

the non-magnetic layer contains at least Fe-based non-magnetic particlesas the non-magnetic inorganic particles, and in the non-magnetic layer,an average particle volume of the Fe-based non-magnetic particles isless than or equal to 2.0×10⁻⁵ μm³, and a thickness of the non-magneticlayer is less than or equal to 1.1 μm.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   d data band-   s servo band-   5 recording track-   6 servo signal-   7 stripe-   1 magnetic recording medium-   11 base material-   12 non-magnetic layer-   13 magnetic layer-   14 back layer-   20 data recording device

The invention claimed is:
 1. A magnetic recording medium in a shape of atape that is long in a longitudinal direction and is short in a widthdirection, the medium comprising: a base material; a magnetic layer; anda non-magnetic layer that is provided between the base material and themagnetic layer, and contains one or more types of non-magnetic inorganicparticles, wherein the magnetic layer includes a data band long in thelongitudinal direction in which a data signal is to be written, and aservo band long in the longitudinal direction in which a servo signal iswritten, and in the magnetic layer, a degree of vertical orientation isgreater than or equal to 65%, a half width of a solitary waveform in areproduction waveform of the servo signal is less than or equal to 195nm, and a thickness of the magnetic layer is less than or equal to 90nm, and the non-magnetic layer contains at least Fe-based non-magneticparticles as the non-magnetic inorganic particles, and in thenon-magnetic layer, an average particle volume of the Fe-basednon-magnetic particles is less than or equal to 2.0×10⁻⁵ μm³, and athickness of the non-magnetic layer is less than or equal to 1.1 μm. 2.The magnetic recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the averageparticle volume of the Fe-based non-magnetic particles is less than orequal to 1.0×10⁻⁵ μm³.
 3. The magnetic recording medium according toclaim 1, wherein the half width of the solitary waveform is less than orequal to 180 nm.
 4. The magnetic recording medium according to claim 3,wherein the half width of the solitary waveform is less than or equal to160 nm.
 5. The magnetic recording medium according to claim 4, whereinthe half width of the solitary waveform is less than or equal to 140 nm.6. The magnetic recording medium according to claim 5, wherein the halfwidth of the solitary waveform is less than or equal to 120 nm.
 7. Themagnetic recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the degree ofvertical orientation is greater than or equal to 70%.
 8. The magneticrecording medium according to claim 7, wherein the degree of verticalorientation is greater than or equal to 75%.
 9. The magnetic recordingmedium according to claim 8, wherein the degree of vertical orientationis greater than or equal to 80%.
 10. The magnetic recording mediumaccording to claim 1, wherein the data band includes a plurality ofrecording tracks that are long in the longitudinal direction, arearrayed in the width direction, and have a predetermined recording trackwidth for each track in the width direction, a servo signal recordingpattern includes a plurality of stripes that are inclined at apredetermined azimuth angle with respect to the width direction, andwhen an arbitrary point on an arbitrary stripe in the plurality ofstripes is set to P1, and a point on the arbitrary stripe in a positionseparated from P1 by the recording track width in the width direction isset to P2, a distance between P1 and P2 in the length direction isgreater than or equal to 0.08 μm.
 11. The magnetic recording mediumaccording to claim 10, wherein the distance between P1 and P2 in thelength direction is less than or equal to 0.62 μm.
 12. The magneticrecording medium according to claim 1, wherein in the magnetic layer, adegree of longitudinal orientation is less than or equal to 35%.
 13. Themagnetic recording medium according to claim 1, wherein in the magneticrecording medium, a coercive force in the longitudinal direction is lessthan or equal to 2000 Oe.
 14. The magnetic recording medium according toclaim 1, wherein a ratio of an area of the servo band to an area of anentire surface of the magnetic layer is less than or equal to 4.0%. 15.The magnetic recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the magneticlayer contains a magnetic powder, and a particle volume of the magneticpowder is less than or equal to 2300 nm³.
 16. The magnetic recordingmedium according to claim 1, wherein the number of data bands is 4n (nis an integer of greater than or equal to 2), and the number of servobands is 4n+1.
 17. The magnetic recording medium according to claim 1,wherein a width of the servo band is less than or equal to 95 μm. 18.The magnetic recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the databand includes a plurality of recording tracks that are long in thelongitudinal direction, are arrayed in the width direction, and have apredetermined recording track width for each track in the widthdirection, and the recording track width is less than or equal to 2.0μm.
 19. The magnetic recording medium according to claim 1, wherein aone-bit length in the longitudinal direction of the data signal that isrecorded in the data band is less than or equal to 48 nm.
 20. Themagnetic recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the magneticlayer contains a magnetic powder of hexagonal ferrite, ε ferric oxide,or cobalt-containing ferrite.
 21. The magnetic recording mediumaccording to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the base material is lessthan or equal to 4.2 μm.
 22. The magnetic recording medium according toclaim 1, wherein the Fe-based non-magnetic inorganic particles arehematite (α-Fe₂O₃).
 23. A cartridge comprising: a magnetic recordingmedium in a shape of a tape that is long in a longitudinal direction andis short in a width direction, the magnetic recording medium including abase material, a magnetic layer, and a non-magnetic layer that isprovided between the base material and the magnetic layer, and containsone or more types of non-magnetic inorganic particles, wherein themagnetic layer includes a data band long in the longitudinal directionin which a data signal is to be written, and a servo band long in thelongitudinal direction in which a servo signal is written, and in themagnetic layer, a degree of vertical orientation is greater than orequal to 65%, a half width of a solitary waveform in a reproductionwaveform of the servo signal is less than or equal to 195 nm, and athickness of the magnetic layer is less than or equal to 90 nm, and thenon-magnetic layer contains at least Fe-based non-magnetic particles asthe non-magnetic inorganic particles, and in the non-magnetic layer, anaverage particle volume of the Fe-based non-magnetic particles is lessthan or equal to 2.0×10⁻⁵ μm³, and a thickness of the non-magnetic layeris less than or equal to 1.1 μm.